Black Dyke crowned the best in Yorkshire as band retains title

The contest at Huddersfield Town Hall saw them beat their competitors as they performed the test piece ‘Pageantry’ by Herbert Howells.

They will be joined by Hammonds Saltaire, City of Bradford and Brighouse & Rastrick brass band in qualifying for the National Finals.

Black Dyke and Brighouse & Rastrick pre-qualified for the National Finals by virtue of their performance in the 2016 Nationals.

The result starts off an exciting year for Black Dyke who will play on one of the most famous stages at the Glastonbury festival that has been graced by the world’s top music acts including the Rolling Stones, David Bowie and The Who.

They will perform on the Pyramid stage on Sunday June 25, 2017, at the festival in Somerset.

They will also be playing at the 21st Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza in the beautiful grounds of the abbey on August 5 2017.

Last year’s event was headlined by Van Morrison with Jamie Cullum and the Wells Cathedral School Big Band and sold out.

Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis said: “I am really excited that the Black Dyke Band has agreed to come to Glastonbury Abbey for this event; they’re marvellous and I’m sure there will be a great atmosphere on the night.”

The Yorkshire-based brass band is the most recorded in the world with more than 350 recordings and has won the European Brass Band Championships 13 times, the British Open Brass Band Championships 30 times and the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain 23 times

Janet Bell, director of the abbey, said: “We are very grateful to Michael for organising it and his continued support for the abbey. The Black Dyke Band will no doubt be fabulous.”