Black Dyke Band emerged victorious at the 2023 National Brass Band Championships, held at the iconic Royal Albert Hall on Saturday. The competition was as tough as it can be, with many bands presenting exceptional performances. However, the mighty Black Dyke Band showcased its exceptional talent and determination and prevailed in a truly stylish manner.

The band’s performance was characterised by an extraordinary level of control and multi-layered musicality, leaving the audience in awe. The band’s soloists, as usual, excelled themselves with beautiful sounds, teamwork and breathtaking artistry.

This result means that the Black Dyke Band are now the most successful band in the history of brass bands, as they have now secured their 24th National title! This is an unparalleled and a quite remarkable achievement!

As the band played Edward Gregson’s magnificent set work for this occasion, ‘Of Men and Mountains’, it was almost as if one could visualise the breathtaking Canadian Rocky Mountains, which served as the inspiration behind the composition.

Under the expert leadership of Professor Nicholas Childs, the band had prepared meticulously for this challenge. In his personal preparations, Professor Childs sought inspiration from nature and took to the hills, drawing from the beauty and grandeur of the landscape to guide the band towards this victory.

Black Dyke Band would like to extend hearty congratulations to all the bands that participated in this event. They also express their gratitude to the adjudication team and the organisers for giving us all such a memorable day!

This event was a wonderful experience for bands and audience alike and is sure to be remembered by all of us for many years to come.

The win at the Nationals is a testament to the dedication and talent of Black Dyke Band. Their outstanding performance and triumph serve as motivation to all musicians and a reminder of the power of music to inspire, encourage, enthral and move audiences’. 

S.D.