Derwent Brass Qualifies for National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall
Historic first qualification for the Derbyshire band after Midlands Championship success.
May 13, 2026
by Jack Capstaff
Derwent Brass has secured qualification for the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall following an outstanding performance at the 2026 Midlands Regional Championships. Under the baton of Musical Director Jack Capstaff, the band achieved third place in the Championship Section with a performance of Martin Ellerby's Elgar Variations.
The result marks a historic milestone for the Derbyshire-based band, representing the ensemble's first qualification for the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall. Adjudicators praised the performance for its musicality and control, with Dr Robert Childs describing it as "a super musical performance".
Speaking after the contest, Jack commented:
"I'm incredibly proud of the performance and what the band has achieved. It reflects a huge amount of hard work and commitment from the players."
The qualification continues a period of sustained artistic growth for the band under Jack's leadership.