Yorkshire's top brass bands in running for national championships tonight at Royal Albert Hall

A grand finale for some of Yorkshire’s best loved musical talent is to draw to a close tonight with the National Brass Band Championships.

This is the biggest competition in the country, perhaps the world, with no fewer than three Yorkshire giants to take the stage at the Royal Albert Hall.

Among those to make the cut are Black Dyke Band, Grimethorpe and Hepworth, with hundreds of supporters and family in the capital to see them perform.

Tim Jones is director of Kapitol Promotions Ltd, which organises the event.

“This is the biggest event in the UK for brass bands, and one of the biggest all around the world,” he said. “Brass bands are a part of generations of families growing up, it’s a really important part of our way of life. This celebrates that history and heritage. And it is a way of life for Yorkshire.

“The Royal Albert Hall is one of the most iconic venues - it’s incredible to play that stage,” he added. “We shouldn’t take that for granted.”

Every single competing band in Great Britain enters the National Brass Band Championship every year. There are eight regional heats, of which Yorkshire is well-known to be strongest.

The first national final held at York Barbican a fortnight ago saw 73 bands in the first four divisions compete, while the highest ranking from regional heats are through to tonight’s final.

Among 20 bands competing are Yorkshire’s Black Dyke band, perhaps the most famous in the world and certainly the most successful in competition history. Then Hepworth, as current Yorkshire champions in what may be a first, and finally Grimethorpe which has qualified for the first time in seven years.

There is also to be a special trophy to honour the memory of one of Yorkshire’s greatest players, who died in 2023 having educated and inspired thousands of musicians.

The James Shepherd Memorial Award will be presented by his daughter to the principal cornet of tonight’s winning band.