XBY Concert Band have triumphed at this year’s (2023/2024) National Concert Band Festival. They began their journey to success with a performance in the Open Wind Band Class at the regional heats held in Cripps Hall, Northampton last winter. A band of around 40 players travelled to the event on Sunday 19th November, to play Festivo by Edward Gregson and Four Norfolk Dances by Philip Sparke, under the direction of their Associate Conductor, John Hargreaves. There was time to listen to some of the other competitors and even have a few drinks before the adjudication when they were thrilled to receive a Platinum Award and an invitation to perform at the National Festival itself.
The National Concert Band Festival begun over 30 years ago and has since developed until it is now regarded as the UK’s largest wind and big band event. It takes place annually and in recent years there have been in excess of 2,400 participants and 900 supporters taking part at the two day event. This year, 41 players from XBY travelled to Warwick on Saturday 16th March to take part in the Open Wind Band Class. They performed Overture to Candide by Leonard Bernstein and Paris Sketches by Martin Ellerby in the Kings Hall at Warwick School. Their performance was conducted by John Hargreaves and the adjudicators were Simone Rebello and Paul Hornsby. Feedback and gradings were provided in both written and spoken format and a Platinum Award was given to the band at the adjudication ceremony that evening. Some of our members were able to stay for the weekend and enjoyed relaxing with a meal and drinks in the historic town centre.We look forward to hopefully taking part again next season!