JLR Band Crowned Midland Champions!

This weekend at Bedworth Civic Hall saw the Jaguar Land Rover Band drive away with the trophy as the Midlands Regional Champions of 2013. The band will now be representing the Midlands at the National Brass Band Championships to be held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on the 12^th October.

Although this is the third time the band has qualified to compete at the National Finals in London it is the first time in the bands history it has taken away the coveted top prize.

Champions 2013!

The accolade is even sweeter for the bands Musical Director Dave Lea as he celebrates his 25^th anniversary conducting the band. “There is no doubt this is a major highlight for me working with the band” comments Dave Lea. “We have a great team of the finest musicians and we are extremely proud to be walking on the stage at the Albert Hall representing the Midlands and Jaguar Land Rover. Although the band is an amateur organisation there is no doubt the players are of professional standard which is down to their hard work and dedication.”

Les Ratcliffe, Head of Community Relations for JLR added “We are immensely proud of our band for winning the Midlands regional contest and we wish them every success as they compete nationally at the Albert Hall. The band represents the best the Midlands has to offer and I would encourage everyone to support them in the great work they do for our community.”

The test piece chosen for the year was 'Harmony Music' by Philip Sparke. This is a notoriously difficult piece of music putting significant demands on both the band and soloists. Congratulations in particular to Paul White (solo cornet), Ian Wright (solo euphonium) and Lara Jones (solo horn).

You can hear the bands winning performance here