The Brass Band Forum

My husband plays in a brass band here in the States. We are going to be going to London in October of 2004 when my school has a fall break for a week. I went looking on the Internet for brass band events that we might see when we are in London and lo and behold it looks like there is a big championship at Royal Albert Hall the the day we arrive (Oct. 16th). Could this be? And how can one get tickets to whatever events are offered that day?

Here in the US, the once a year contest consists of bands playing throughout the day in their various catagories at various locations that are near one another (schools, hotel ballrooms,etc.). Bands play a test piece and one or two other pieces. In the evening there is a gala concert by some really terrific band that is not part of the contest and the winners are announced at that event. How are the championship contests run in the UK?

I checked the Royal Albert Hall Web site and the Championship is not listed as an event on their calendar (nothing is listed for Oct. 16th). Can someone shed some light on this for us? We'd hate to miss some great brass music when we're in London, but we can't figure this out! Thanks in advance, An Indiana Brass Band Groupie

Hi from England,

Tickets for the National Finals usually go on sale around June/July and are not a problem to get hold of. Email the RAH nearer that time and you should be OK. It will be a real feast of brass for you as well !

There are also many 'fringe' concerts going on in London over that weekend, check out 4barsrest.com nearer the time.

www.euph9.freeserve.co.uk

Thanks for your reply! Don't tell the cornet I live with, but euphoniums are my favorite I'm getting excited as I plan this trip. Can't wait.

Hi, you'll find that the National Finals are a bit different to most contests in this country. For a start instead of having all the different sections on the same day, usually in the same hall, the Albert Hall contestants are all Championship section bands - the other sections are elsewhere (Harrogate, this year, I believe?). The bands qualify for the contest by taking part in their relevant "area contest" which takes place throughout March. 2 bands from each area qualify, plus the top 3 bands from the previous year. It's only the test piece each, I'm afraid, but there is a gala concert in the evening, though it momentarily escapes me which band/s is/are doing that this year. Maybe see you in the bar!!
Trace.