BY any standards it has been a phenomenal two years for the City of Bradford Brass Band – and recent successes in various competitions have propelled the band up the international standings.

Since leaping into the top 100 of the world’s brass bands in 2015 they have risen to 21st in that prestigious table – and poised to compete later this year for the title of National Champions of Great Britain.

Before that, however, they have a date in Ilkley, on July 7, at the Midsummer Brass Concert at Christchurch on The Grove.

The concert is the seventh annual Charity Brass Band Concert to be organised by the Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary Club, this year raising funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK and End Polio Now.

“We’ve chartered the band’s rise up the rankings since Lee Skipsey became their Musical Director in 2010 and they first played for us in 2011," said Rotarian Chris Jones. “It has been a phenomenal rise up the rankings, which is based on their official competition results and their hard work."

The band leapt into the top 100 in April 2015 and after hovering around mid-table for most of 2016, made another huge leap up to 31st in April of this year and now up to 21st.

“They always produce a great night in Ilkley and it was this combination of excellent music on a Summer’s night which provided such an atmospheric mood that inspired us some years ago to establish our concert as Midsummer Brass," added Chris.

Tickets for the concert, which starts at 7.30pm, are priced £10, including a programme and refreshments, (children under 15 £6) and are available in advance from the Grove Bookshop (Music Dept), or by ringing 01943 817732, emailing cbjemails@gmail.com or on the door.