Black Dyke win National Brass Band Championship for only second time in history (From Advertiser Series)

Queensbury-based band to represent England at 2012 European Championships

9:53am Tuesday 28th June 2011 in Queensbury

A Bradford brass band will represent England in the 2012 European Championships in Rotterdam after it was crowned national champion.

Queensbury-based Black Dyke Band lifted the English National Brass Band Championship trophy for only the second time in its history in the contest held at Guild Hall, Preston.

Another famous band, Brighouse and Rastrick, was placed third.

Black Dyke conductor, Dr Nicholas Childs, was ecstatic about the band’s performance. He said the band “delivered in every department” as it played Elgar Variations and Vienna Nights.

However, it was not straightforward, according to Mike Shenton, the band's secretary. He said the competition was of a very high standard, as could be expected from some of the best talent in the country.

Mr Shenton said “considerable concentration and harmonious team-work” enabled Black Dyke Band to come out on top.

Another winner for the band came in the form of Richard Marshall, who was awarded Best Instrumentalist at the competition. His performance on Principal Cornet impressed both the judges and his own conductor, Dr Childs.

Dr Childs said: “The band was delighted and proud at Richard’s performance. He scored all the right goals and played brilliantly.”

Mr Shenton said “substantial preparation” will be required to outplay stronger performances from Europe's best brass bands in Rotterdam next year.

However, until then, the band is performing at various locations around the country, such as Birmingham, where it will be competing in the British Open Brass Band Championship on September 3.

It will also be entertaining crowds at the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final at Wembley in front of a crowd of 80,000 on August 27.