Winner: Cory
2. Eikanger Bjorsvik
3. Black Dyke
It will come as little surprise to anyone around the world this year that the band that stood head and shoulders above everyone else is our winner.
Cory won five of the six major competitions they competing in — taking home to Wales the European, BrassPass.tv Band of the Year, British Open, National Championship and Brass in Concerts titles.
Inspired by their MD, the standard of the performances they delivered was at times was quite incredible, the plaudits (on the contest and concert stage at home and abroad) as well as the silverware that came with them, thoroughly well deserved.
All 13 judges on the panel were in full agreement. That says it all.
No shame in finishing behind them then — with Eikanger taking 11 second place preferences in a year in which they claimed yet another Norwegian 'double' and were perhaps a touch unlucky not have beaten Cory at the Europeans. What a battle these two will have in store for everyone in Palanga.
Black Dyke's contesting renaissance, which saw them come runner-up to Cory at three major events in 2019 and once again wow huge audiences in Japan and provide two outstanding recordings, was clearly noted too.
the standard of the performances they delivered was at times quite incredible, the plaudits (on the contest and concert stage at home and abroad) as well as the silverware that came with them was thoroughly well deserved4BR Editor Iwan Fox
Past Winners:
2018: Valaisia Brass Band
2017: Eikanger Bjorsvik
2016: Cory
2015: Cory
2014: Black Dyke
2013: Cory
2012: Foden's
2011: Brighouse & Rastrick
2010: Tredegar
2009: Cory
2008: Cory
2007: Grimethorpe Colliery Band
2006: Grimethorpe Colliery (UK Coal) Band
2005: Black Dyke
2004: Yorkshire Building Society
2003: Yorkshire Building Society
2002: Foden's Richardson
2001: Yorkshire Building Society
Panel:
The Awards Panel consisted of: Iwan Fox (Editor 4BR); Malcolm Wood (Chief Contributor); Andrew Wainwright (Writer/Composer/Arranger/Graphic Designer/Journalist); Gordon Simpson (statistician Brass Band World magazine); Chris Thomas (Chief Contributor Brass Band World magazine); Kenny Crookston (CEO, Brass Bands England); Frode Rydland (EBBA Music Commission/soprano cornet Bjorsvik Brass); David Hirst (Conductor/Association of Brass Band Adjudicators); Alexander Zwann (Chief contributor CU Brass); Tom Davoren (conductor/composer); Tim Mutum (writer/brass band recording and history specialist); Owen Melhuish (President: North Shore Brass New Zealand); David Gallaher (Director of Air Force Music — Royal New Zealand Air Force Band)
