National Brass Band Championships 2022

Huddersfield and Ripponden Brass Band found itself in an unenviable position just 48 hours before the competition was due start, when their principal cornet player tested positive for Covid-19.

Unanimous in their decision, the band’s members opted not to borrow a player on the day from another competing band (as per competition regulations allow) and to the band’s most grateful thanks, the band’s assistant principal cornet player volunteered to step up to the role.

On the morning of September 17 2022, Huddersfield and Ripponden Brass Band was drawn to play first and after a fitting tribute to her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, had the privilege of performing the first ever rendition of ‘God Save The King’ at the National Championships before fulfilling the task in hand of playing the chosen test piece SINFONIETTA by Joseph Horovitz.

The band achieved a respectable 12th place out of 17 bands competing but as adjudicators, John Maines, Sandy Smith and Brian Rostron pointed out, all bands competing at the contest were already winners and congratulations must go to all who took part.

Thankfully, the band’s principal cornet player has now made a full recovery and looking forward to being back at rehearsals.

To listen to the band performing the test piece, please visit our YouTube Channel.