Following the final weekend of the regional championships events in Swansea and Stevenage, the line-up of bands that will compete in National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall in October was finalised.

Conducting history

Not only will the Championship event in Kensington once again provide the climax to the UK banding calendar, but it will also see a little piece of history created with the first appearance of a Danish born conductor at the contest.

Footsteps

Stig follows in the footsteps of the great Hebert Moller, who conducted Concord Band at the World Championships at the Royal Albert Hall in 1970, and the likes of F.H. Rasmussen, O. Jensen, V. Lonstead and Herbert Moller who conducted bands at the European Championships when they were held there.

Copenhagen born Stig Maersk will direct East Yorkshire Motor Services Band, after their secured their place at the iconic venue by coming runner-up at the North of England Regional Championships in Durham.

Awards

Qualification for EYMS came after they appointed Stig in February, whilst the band also celebrated their achievement by bagging a brace of individual awards in the process.

Neil Johnson won the Maurice Metcalfe Memorial Euphonium Trophy and Kevin Donaldson took the Colin Frater Memorial Soprano Trophy.

Stig follows in the footsteps of the great Hebert Moller, who conducted Concord Band at the World Championships at the Royal Albert Hall in 19704BR

Family

EYMS last appeared at the Albert Hall in 2014 and during its 27-year history has now qualified for the prestigious contest on no fewer than 17 occasions.

At the weekend, there was a bit of family rivalry at the Gala Theatre in Durham as Stig's father Claus played cornet for Easington Colliery, who preceded EYMS on stage.