We’re thrilled to share the exciting news that Trinity Concert Band has once again been awarded a Platinum Award at the National Concert Band Festival (NCBF) Finals, held on Sunday 13th April at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester!
This prestigious invitation-only event brought together some of the finest wind bands from across the UK, and we were incredibly proud to be among them, representing Berkshire on the national stage for the fifth time in our history.
Each piece was carefully selected to highlight different aspects of the band’s musicianship – from rich, expressive lyricism and controlled intonation to bold technical flourishes and exciting rhythmic energy.
To our delight, not only did the band receive the top-level Platinum Award for our performance, but our Musical Director, Paul Speed, was also honoured with a special award for Best Balanced Programme. This recognition reflects Paul’s thoughtful programming, always with the goal of showcasing the full range of the band’s capabilities. We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Paul for preparing us so thoroughly for this major event and inspiring us to perform at our very best.
“I’m very fortunate to conduct a band of this quality and never take it for granted that a Platinum Award is a formality. It’s the band’s continuous hard work that pushes us to improve and never be complacent. My goal is always to make the band – and myself – better, and NCBF gives us that opportunity to measure ourselves. Many thanks to the band for rising to the challenge once again.”
Paul Speed – Musical Director
We performed three pieces that were brand new to us. Recordings of two of our performances are available in our video gallery.
- Fiesta by Philip Sparke
- I Know Moonrise by Jess Langston Turner
- Valkyrie Rising by Chris Pilsner
The day ended on a real high with a stunning performance from the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines, offering a masterclass in precision, power, and musicality – a true privilege to witness live.
We’re so proud of everyone involved, and we’d like to congratulate all the other bands who took part – it was a fantastic celebration of wind band music in the UK.
Your chance to hear it live!
You can experience our full award-winning programme at our Wokingham Fiesta Concert at All Saints Church, Wokingham on Saturday 28th June at 7pm. Expect an evening of vibrant and exhilarating music, featuring a mix of festival-inspired pieces, iconic film scores, and beloved musical theatre classics.
About the National Concert Band Festival
The National Concert Band Festival is the UK’s largest wind and jazz band festival, dedicated to celebrating live music and encouraging the development of bands of all levels. Bands participate in regional festivals where they perform in front of expert adjudicators who provide constructive feedback based on the NCBF’s award criteria. They are not judged competitively against each other but are awarded ratings ranging from Bronze to the coveted Platinum Award. The bands that achieve the highest standards are invited to perform at the annual National Finals.
Supporting Charitable Causes
In addition to their musical success, Trinity Concert Band continues to support charitable causes through their More than Music campaign. Over the past year, the band raised more than £945 for Prostate Cancer UK, bringing the total raised for fellow charities to just over £4000.
A Community Band with High Standards
Founded in 2001, Trinity Concert Band is committed to delivering high-quality performances while remaining deeply rooted in the local community. Hosting concerts across Reading and Wokingham, the band brings the joy of live music to audiences of all ages.