4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks back at five talking points that arose from this year's Championship Section National Final at the Royal Albert Hall.
There remained plenty of red seats that were not filled on the weekend
Red Alert
The most memorable image of the 2024 National Championship Final was the joyful celebration of the Flowers Band as they had their picture taken with the most famous trophy in the banding world on the most famous stage in the banding world.
The most worrying however was the backdrop sight of the sea of plush red Royal Albert Hall seats that they, and the other 19 bands had to perform to throughout the day.
Estimates on the size of the audience will vary, but there is little doubt that it is getting ever more difficult to attract an audience to an expensive concert venue in one of the most expensive cities in the world.
The most worrying however was the backdrop sight of the sea of plush red Royal Albert Hall seats that they, and the other 19 bands had to perform to throughout the day.
How long it can continue here is in the financial hands of both Kapitol Promotions and the management of the Albert Hall.
The sentiments expressed are positive (even James Ainscough OBE, the Albert Hall CEO said as much in an interview), but it would not have gone unnoticed that even in the official souvenir programme, next year’s date on 11th October 2025 was still printed as being ‘provisional’.
Cory missed out on automatic pre-qualification for 2025
Wrong answer to the right question
One of the main talking points this year came with the news to reduce the number of pre-qualifying bands to the 2025 event from four to three.
Most people would agree that having fewer bands at a major test-piece contest is a move in the right direction – but only if balanced by an increase in the quality of those taking part.
Just dropping one band from the National Final and thinking that will solve the structural problems of an event struggling to attract an audience let alone sponsors, seems to be nothing more than a meaningless placebo.
Rewarding excellence by inviting the top four back has been a success in that specific regard (and the stats back it up). And whilst balancing a system of excellence and time constraints against the imposing financial considerations of the promoters is a tricky thing to do, this decision seemed a rather self-defeating way of going about things.
Surely different proposals should have been discussed in depth with various stakeholders (the bands included) to come up with something that did just that. There are a number of interesting potential answers that have been put forward.
Just dropping one band from the National Final and thinking that will solve the structural problems of an event struggling to attract an audience let alone sponsors, seems to be nothing more than a meaningless placebo.
Living the dream for the winners...
Dream works
The Kapitol National Championship Music Panel has come under a great deal of criticism over its choices for the Regional Championships and for this Albert Hall final.
Yet ‘Harrison’s Dream’ once again showed that a composer who fully understands the medium can ensure that the sternest test of musical and technical character can be packaged into just 12 or so minutes of writing.
It was a timely reminder that one that not every major test-piece needs to be an exotic leviathan and that the Kapitol panel is also making very informed choices.
Peter Graham’s work is 25 years old and remains a fine test of elite level credentials. As adjudicator Prof Rob Wiffin OBE said on the day; “No band emerged unscathed” - even the outstanding winners. He was not wrong.
It was a timely reminder that one that not every major test-piece needs to be an exotic leviathan and that the Kapitol panel is also making very informed choices.
The identity of success
Flowers identity
There is no secret to success – although there is an identity.
Paul Holland returned to Flowers in 2019 and has built an increasingly impressive band year on year in the process. His musical DNA in embedded in every aspect of their approach - from his development of young players and new signings to repertoire choices and even the way the band is run and presents itself.
If others wish to follow in Paul Holland and Flowers musical footsteps it is well worth remembering that quick fixes rarely last the test of time.
It is a variation on a successful formula that is also found in the most consistent contesting bands in the world – a long-term commitment to the aims and objectives of the person who leads from the podium.
Look at the world rankings and nearly all the top dozen or so bands are spearheaded by conductors who have spent years in their role.
If others wish to follow in Paul Holland and Flowers musical footsteps it is well worth remembering that quick fixes rarely last the test of time.
Total commitment
A touching gesture
Philip Morris (second form right), Managing Director of Kapitol Promotions, has his critics, but few would argue that his personal determination to maintain the National Championship at the Royal Albert Hall is nothing less than admirable set against its huge cost implications.
a remarkable personal commitment to a banding movement that he continues to serve with distinction despite the critical opprobrium he regularly endures.
It was therefore a touching gesture from composer Peter Graham to write a work for Black Dyke to perform in the pre-results ceremony specially written in the memory of his daughter Nicola, who passed away at the tragically young age of just 49 in 2023.
On the weekend of her death, he still attended the National Finals in Cheltenham – a remarkable personal commitment to a banding movement that he continues to serve with distinction despite the critical opprobrium he regularly endures.
