49th National Band Championships

The executive committe of the IABCB are delighted to announce details of the forthcoming National Band Championships. This year we are bringing the Championships to Co. Meath to the wonderful Solstice Arts Centre located in Navan Town. The Championships will take place over two days on the 12th and 13th April.

We are also delighted to announce details of our adjudicator. This year we are delighted to welcome Mr. John Doyle to adjudicate our contest. John is heralded as one of the leading performers on the cornet, flugel horn and trumpet and is great demand as a soloist, conductor, adjudicator and educator. John started playing brass instruments from the tender age of 13. His banding development included playing for Lancashire Youth Brass Band, Lostock Hall Memorial Band, Freckleton Band, the BT Band and the Fairey Band. He gained a place to study music at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, achieving a 2:1 qualification.

Before arriving at Leyland, John spent 10 years at the Black Dyke Band, 1 year on Repiano cornet, and 9 as the flugel horn soloist. During this time he travelled extensively to Bermuda, America, Canada, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, France, Austria, Norway, Italy and Australia. John is a real educator and believes in making music fun for all young people. He currently tutors with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, and is musical director of the Lancashire Schools Symphony Orchestra. He has begun an adjudicating career, judging slow melody competitions and at the National Youth Band Championships of Great Britain.

John currently holds the position of Head of Performing Arts and Music at the Lostock Hall Community High School and Arts College (Preston), and is a teaching fellow of the University of Cumbria, and a "Fast Track Teacher" and a "Champion Teacher" for Musical Futures. He has also been awarded the title of "Champion" with Lancashire Music Service for his work as a dynamic head of music in the Lancashire region.

The test pieces have also been announced as the following:

SECTION 1 BRASS

Variations on Laudate Dominum by Edward Gregson (Revised Version)

Published by SP&S               

SECTION 2 BRASS

Music for a Festival by Philip Sparke

Published by Studio Music

SECTION 3 BRASS

A Cambrian Suite by Michael Ball

Published by Studio Music

SECTION 1 CONCERT

Gallimaufry by Guy Woolfenden

Published by Ariel Music

SECTION 2 CONCERT

Music for a Festival by Philip Sparke

Published by Studio Music

SECTION 3 CONCERT

Sun Dance by Frank Ticheli

Published by Manhattan Beach Music

In section 4 there has been a slight change to the format. This year each band is required to play a march, a slow melody piece and an original piece of music (not an arrangement). For more details about any of the above or information about how your band can get involved in this fantastic event please contact us via our contact page and we will do our best to help you.