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English National line up announced

The 16 bands that will battle it out for the English National title next year have been announced.

English National
 

The British Federation of Brass Bands (BFBB) has revealed details for the 2009 English National Brass Band Championships, taking place in Preston’s Guild Hall on Saturday 27th June, next year.

Extended

With an extended contract signed for the contest to remain in the Guild Hall until 2012, the BFBB is looking to continue developing the English Nationals to maintain its status as England’s flagship contest.

4BR understands that the qualifying bands came from the April 2008 World of Brass/4BR/British Bandsman Rankings. The six regional winners get an automatic invite plus the top ten ranked English bands at the time.

With an extended contract signed for the contest to remain in the Guild Hall until 2012, the BFBB is looking to continue developing the English Nationals to maintain its status as England’s flagship contest4BR

Not accepted

Only one band, Desford which was in the list at the time has not accepted an invition to take part. Their position is taken by Yorkshire Imps as the next highest ranked band. GUS, who came runner up at the Midlands Regional Championship was ranked 32.

Competing bands

Brighouse & Rastrick (Ranking as at April 2008 — 5)
Black Dyke (Yorkshire Regional Champion)
Carlton Main Frickley (12)
Fairey Band (11)
Flowers (15)
Fodens Richardson (North West Regional Champion)
Grimethorpe Colliery (1)
Hepworth (Cookson Homes) (18)
Leyland (10)
Mount Charles (West of England Regional Champion)
Redbridge (London & Southern Counties Regional Champion)
Reg Vardy (North East Regional Campion)
Rothwell (17)
Wingates (23)
YBS (6)
Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel (30)

Judges

The adjudicators for the 2009 event have been revealed as William Relton, David Horsfield and Steve Sykes.

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