Yorkshire and Humberside Brass Band Association

 

Hardraw Scar Brass Band Festival

 

Incorporating the Entertainment Contest organised by the Association in conjunction with and at the invitation of the Proprietor of the Green Dragon Inn

 

The 2010 Contest will take place on Sunday 12th September 2010

 

   Taking the stand at Hardraw 

 

In 1881 the first annual Brass Band Contest was held in the grounds of the Green Dragon Inn at Hardraw. For a short history of the contest click here. Since 1989 the contest has been organised by the Yorkshire and Humberside Brass Bands Association and takes place in what is probably the most spectacular setting for any such event.  Brass Bands, ranging from the small village band to the Championship Section, present short concerts throughout the day and are judged both on the standard of their music and on the selection of their concert programme.

 Each band’s programme has to contain a march and a hymn tune, and their performance is limited to about 20 minutes each.  Occasionally bands may choose to perform the same pieces but the format of this contest means that the audience get to listen to a great range of music in the course of the day. The day is brought to a traditional close with a short concert by the massed bands, after which the awards are presented. For a list of placings and adjudicators click here.

 Entry is by programme, which enables the audience to come and go as they wish during the day; bars and catering are readily available and the natural amphitheatre makes a stunning spot to spend a summer Sunday. In any case, it is a wonderful opportunity to listen to brass bands doing what they do best – entertaining an audience!  

Over the last 20 years more than a hundred bands have participated in this contest, many of them local, others coming from all over the North of England.  For a a list recording them in Chronological order of first entry, together with the number of times they have competed and with any subsequent name changes click here.  

On leaving his 'box' at the end of the 2003 contest the adjudicator made the following comments:­ "I am amazed to see so many people in attendance enjoying this thrilling experience. The setting in this beautiful gorge, surrounded by high cliffs, provides excellent acoustics and all bands did their very best to put on a wonderful show. Long may this unique and glorious event continue".

 

 

 

 

Contest Rules

 

 

 

 

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Full Results of 2009 Contest

 

 

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Arriving at Hardraw Scar

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Yorkshire & Humberside Brass Band Association

For more information, please contact the  Hon. Secretary:

Mrs M. Williams
7 The Lea,
Garforth,
Leeds,
LS25 2BT
Tel:  (+44) 0113 2860005

This page was last updated 01/10/2009

 

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