Having secured a new sponsorship deal with Geneva Instruments for the English National Brass Band Championships, the British Federation of Brass Bands has released further details of next year’s championship.

Review

Following a full review of last year’s event, and consultation with bands, the BFBB have decided to continue with the Guild Hall, Preston as the venue for the event.

Bands invited for next year will be the top ten English bands from the rankings used by British Bandsman/4BR, as of 1st November, 2010.

Format

Meanwhile, the format of the contest will also change with BFBB following the formula of the European Championships — with a set test piece in the morning and an own choice piece in the afternoon.

We were encouraged by last year’s contest when a small field of bands seemed very attractiveBFBB

Test Piece

For the set test, bands will be asked to perform Martin Ellerby’s ‘Elgar Variations’ commissioned by the BFBB for the 2007 European Championships in Birmingham.

A spokesman for the BFBB told 4BR: "We were encouraged by last year’s contest when a small field of bands seemed very attractive. As well as this many European countries now follow the ‘European formula’ and we hope that this will attract a larger audience to the Guild Hall."

They added: "We looked long and hard at changing the venue, but a combination of other halls not being available and a survey on travelling distance for bands persuaded us to remain at Preston for 2011.

The confirmation of sponsorship from Geneva Instruments, being established over seven months before the event, has given us the confidence to move forward positively.

We hope that the ten invited bands will join us for a very exciting day’s banding on 25th June. The winning band of the ENBBC will be invited to represent England at the 2012 European Championships in Rotterdam."

Robert Morgan, Chairman of the BFBB, expressed his sincere thanks to Besson for their support and encouragement of the previous four championship events.

List of Invited Bands

Black Dyke
Foden’s
Brighouse & Rastrick
Fairey (Geneva)
Grimethorpe Colliery
Rothwell Temperance
Leyland
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
Desford Colliery
Reg Vardy