With the Royal Albert Hall set to host the Championship Section National Finals this coming weekend, bands are already starting to glance over the choice of test-pieces that await them at the Regional Championships next year.

The announcement of the works that will have to be mastered to book a place back at York Barbican or London in 2027 was made at the recent Section 1-4 National Finals.

Recordings

The CD featuring the 2027 Regional test-pieces can be purchased at:
https://www.worldofbrass.com/rsdoycd457-regionals-2027-cd

Downloads are also available at:
https://www.worldofbrass.com/DOYCD457-download

or can be listened to through www.wobplay.com

Championship Section:

Championship Section contenders will have to get to grips with Peter Graham's 'Ben Hur 1925', which was commissioned by Whitburn Band with support from the Cockaigne Fund and Murdoch Forest to be performed at the 2026 European Championship in Linz.

The composer reimagines the story of the famous Biblically inspired film character as he looks back on his life in his later years — the music recalling flashes of his challenges and glories framed by references to Eric Ball's 'King of Kings' and 'Exodus' compositions and the hymnal 'Dresden Amen'.

First Section:

The First Section contenders will ponder a stiff challenge in the form of 'Rhapsody on a Theme by Purcell' by Kevin Norbury — his own variant take on the famous theme that underpins Benjamin Brittan's equally famous 'The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra'.

Written for the International Staff Band of The Salvation Army, it was first premiered at the RNCM Festival of Brass in 2005.

Second Section:

A personal reminder of the Swiss city of Lucerne forms the basis of Gareth Wood's 'Helvetia' for the Second Section bands.

Although the title comes from the Roman name for Switzerland, the focus of the four-movement work centre's on the moods and recollections recalled by the composer (1950-2023) of previous visits to the city and its surroundings — from 'An Alpine Dawn and Sunrise' to 'The Clock Shop at Mid-day', 'A Walk to Wagner's House' and 'The Cresta Run'.

Written in 2011 it is dedicated to Cory Band and the memory of the late trumpet player and conductor, James Watson.

Third Section:

There is also a Roman connection with 'Iceni Autumn' by Darrol Barry (1956-2018) — a four movement work that recalls the uprising of the Icena tribe under their queen Boudicea against Roman rule in the area of East Anglia towards the end of 61 AD.

The linear narrative sets the mood in its sections 'S.P.Q.R.', 'Cockley Cley' through to the emergence of 'Boudicca' and the final battle around their capital 'Venta Icenorum'.

Fourth Section:

Two main themes are developed in the Fourth Section work, 'Light Adventures' by Norwegian composer Fredrick Schjelderup.

Commissioned for the 50th anniversary of Skodvin Skulemusikk in 2026 the thematic material is explored in three linked sections — from an energetic opening though to a transitional lyrical central section before a lively compound finale.

2027 Test pieces:

Championship Section:
Ben Hur 1925 (Peter Graham)
To purchase: https://www.gramercymusic.com/

First Section:
Rhapsody on a Theme by Purcell (Kevin Norbury)
To purchase: https://www.worldofbrass.com/sps41906-kevin-norbury-brass-band-rhapsody-on-a-theme-by-purcell

Second Section:
Helvetia (Gareth Wood)
To purchase: https://www.worldofbrass.com/pvm167a-gareth-wood-brass-band-helvetia

Third Section:
Iceni Autumn (Darrol Barry)
To purchase: https://www.worldofbrass.com/rskirkic01bb-darrol-barry-brass-band-iceni-autumn

Fourth Section:
Light Adventures (Fredrick Schjelderup)
To purchase: https://komponistforlaget.no/en/product/light-adventures/