Preview & Prediction: Midlands Regional Brass Band Championships 2020 Championship Section

Preview & Prediction: Midlands Regional Brass Band Championships 2020 Championship Section

SUNDAY 8th March 2020 – THE CIVIC HALL, BEDWORTH

Draw: 12.30 p.m.

Start: 2.00 PM approx.

Adjudicators: Stephen Sykes & Alan Morrison

Test Piece: A Tale as Yet Untold Philip Sparkes

A Tale as Yet Untold was commissioned by the Cory Band for the European Brass Band Championships in Linz, Austria, 2010, and their winning performance gave them a hattrick of victories at the competition. The theme of this impressive work, which is set in three movements, is one that recurs again and again throughout the music of Philip Sparke, the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and how the beauty of music can help in this respect.

Preview

The Midlands Area Championship section sees 11 Top Bands competing for the two coveted places at the Royal Albert Hall National Championships Final in October.

Blidworth Welfare

Played a great performance last year to earn a creditable fifth place and will be striving to better that this year and claim a podium finish.

Derwent Brass

Were placed 9th here last year and will be hoping to better that this time round . A good performance could see a significant move up the placings.

Desford Colliery

The in – form Band of this area having a solid 9th placing at last year’s Finals, a 4th place at the British Open and 2nd place at Butlins in January. They must be favourites to retain their title again this year.

Enderby

Conducted by the talented Ryan Richards promoted from the first section last year could be a surprise contender this year. It will be interesting to see how well they step up to this level.

Foresters Brass

Had a superb 4th placing here last year and could be in the running for a top 6 finish again this time round.

GUS Band

Another in-form Band in this area. They performed very well at last year’s finals coming in 10th place and a very exciting 4th place finish at Butlins in January. This band will be one of the favourites to return to London in October.

Hucknall and Linby

The other promoted Band this year and we are looking forward to hearing them step up to this level. I am sure they will hoping to make their mark in the Top section.

Jaguar Land Rover

Conducted by the very experienced Nigel Seaman will be looking for a podium finish this year. After coming 6th last year a good performance this time will surely see them challenging.

Langley

Last year were placed 8th and will be hoping to move upwards this year. This superb piece will test all the Bands so they will hoping to impress this time.

Ratby Co-operative

Ratby will be hoping to recreate last year’s form, which if they can, will surely make them one of the favourites to get to the finals in October.

Thoresby Colliery

A band hoping to improve on last year’s 10th place and move them up the table towards a top 6 finish

We wish all the bands competing the best of luck and are really looking forward to hearing your performances of this terrific test piece.

Prediction