It has been officially confirmed to 4BR today that reigning National Champion, Black Dyke, will be invited to compete at the Royal Albert Hall in October to defend its title.

Speculation

Speculation had grown following the band’s disqualification from the recent Yorkshire Regional Championship in Bradford, due to an infringement of the National Rule 9 (a), that they would not be able to compete at London.

This states: “All players taking part in the Contest must be registered with only ONE accredited Registry at least 7 days before the Friday of the contest weekend and may only compete with the band that holds their Registration.

It is the responsibility of the band secretary to apply to the relevant registry for the necessary registration documentation and to comply with the Registry Rules and procedures.”

Will qualify

However, 4BR also revealed that Rule 14a (ii) stated: “In respect of the Championship Section, the first four placed bands in the previous year’s ‘Final’ will qualify for an invitation to the following years ‘Final’, subject to competing in their respective Regional Championships.

Entry to the ‘Final’ of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain is at the sole discretion of Kapitol."

Area contest only

4BR understands that as Black Dyke’s invitation to compete at the 2015 Yorkshire Area Championship event had been accepted by the Regional Committee, their disqualification applied only to that contest.

The band’s invitation to compete at the 2015 National Final had already been accepted by Kapitol Promotions following their victory at the 2014 Final, alongside those of the other pre-qualified bands Cory, Brighouse & Rastrick and Tredegar.

I can confirm that the band had already pre-qualified for an invitation to enter the 2015 Championships by virtue of its position as the 2014 National Champion BandPhilip Morris, director of Kapitol Promotions Ltd

Confirmed

This has now been confirmed in a statement issued to 4BR today from Philip Morris, a director of Kapitol Promotions Ltd that presents the event.

It reads: “In response to mounting speculation to whether the Black Dyke Band would be allowed to defend its 2014 Championship Section National title, I can confirm that the band had already pre-qualified for an invitation to enter the 2015 Championships by virtue of its position as the 2014 National Champion Band.

They will therefore be invited to compete at the 2015 National Finals.”