The Championship Section National Final of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain returns to the Royal Albert Hall this Autumn where it has been held since 1945. Often dubbed the brass banding equivalent of the Football League, the UK’s finest bands will compete for the prestigious National title, continuing a legacy featuring giants such as Black Dyke, Grimethorpe Colliery, and Cory Band.
This year, the piece chosen as the final test for the finalists is Edward Gregson's Symphony in two movements. Throughout the day 19 bands will perform the work in the Royal Albert Hall's iconic auditorium, in a day of fierce competition and deep camaraderie.
The symphony lasts for some 19 minutes and is structured in two linked movements. The form is based on that used by Beethoven in his final piano sonata (Op.111), which is in two movements only: a compact sonata-form allegro, followed by a more expansive theme and four variations. Prokofiev also adopted this model in his 2nd Symphony of 1925.
Adding to the celebration, the Gala Concert will feature the current National Youth Champions Youth Brass 2000 with a 45-minute showcase, taking place between the competition and the Results Ceremony.
Find out more about the day here, or get tickets through the Royal Albert Hall here.
