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Winner: WobPlay.com — In Concert Series
2. Luke Barker (Flowers Band/National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain)
3. JSVB Legacy Band
2020 may have been a very difficult year for brass banding as a whole, but once again there were plenty of fresh ideas, initiatives and talent galore to enjoy.
Chief amongst the according to our international panel of critics was the new 'In Concert' series provided by the WobPlay.com recording platform which showcased lockdown concert performances from Cory, Tredegar, Black Dyke, Grimethorpe Colliery and Brighouse & Rastrick.
High quality production values, interesting venues and plenty of great playing made for hugely entertaining listening and the project a clear winner with seven first choice preferences and plenty of podium finishes from the judges.
Congratulations to runner-up Luke Barker, the principal cornet of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain who made such an impression with them, Flowers and as a prize winning soloists during the year.
Third place went to a renewal of a great old favourite in the JSVB Legacy Band who we are sure will provide great entertainment for many more years to come.
Seven of the ten nominations had at least one first choice preference vote — with all ten getting a podium nomination.
Panel:
The Awards Panel consisted of:
Iwan Fox (Editor 4BR); Malcolm Wood (4BR Chief Contributor); Andrew Wainwright (Composer/Arranger/Graphic Designer); Gordon Simpson (statistician Brass Band World magazine); Chris Thomas (Chief Contributor Brass Band World magazine/4BR contributor); Frode Rydland (EBBA Music Commission/Bjorsvik Brass); David Childs (euphonium soloist/Editor BBW Magazine); David Hirst (Conductor/Adjudicator); Alexander Zwann (Chief contributor CU Brass); Tim Mutum (writer/brass band recording and history specialist); Owen Melhuish (President: North Shore Brass New Zealand); Chris Wormald (Conductor/Adjudicator/Arranger); Steve Jack (photographer/4BR, BBW contributor); Stein Skopholm (Norwegian broadcaster/presenter); Kurt Bohalter (Swiss Brass Band administrator/Publisher); Steven Mead (Euphonium soloist); Paul Holland (Conductor/Adjudicator); Matthew Van Emmerick (Soloist/Conductor); Mark Good (Editor British Bandsman magazine)
To enjoy:
Past Winners:
2020: Cory Band 2020 Online Championships
2019: Sky Arts — Battle of the Bands television series
2018: Thomas Nielsen
2017: Ingar Bergby
2016: Thierry Deleruyelle
2015: Dark Arteries — Rambert Ballet and Tredegar Band
2014: The Band of the King's Division
2013: Korpsfiksert! — Eikanger Bjorsvik television series
2012: Brass in Concert
2011: Venezuelan Brass Ensemble
2010: Exit Brass
2009: Lucy Pankhurst
2008: Paul Duffy
2007: Proms Brass Day
2006: English National Championship
2005: Brass Band Aid
2004: The National Children's Band of Great Britain
2003: Emma Farrow
2002: Simon Dobson
