Adjudication and Awards

It must be stressed that the purpose of adjudication is to measure the band’s attempt to achieve a particular level of performance, and not to make comparisions between two different bands’ performance. There will normally be two adjudicators in all classes, one giving a written adjudication, the other providing comments on a recording of each performance.

Bands are expected to supply adjudicators’ scores to the Regional Organiser.
Two copies of the score are required for the Wind Band classes and two copies or suitable lead sheet for the Big Band classes.

It is the band’s responsibility to provide all the adjudicator’s scores. Participating bands are warned that it is illegal to photocopy (or to copy by other means) musical scores and band parts which are copyright. The Regional Organiser reserves the right to inspect any music used in the Festival and may disqualify bands using unauthorised photocopies.

Bands in all classes may receive a Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze Award as recommended by the adjudicators. The adjudicators decision is final.

Music and adjudications can be collected from the Regional Organiser at the end of the Festival.

Entries to Regional Festivals

ncbf are keen to encourage all bands to enter their own area regional festival as far as possible - however we recognise that there may be good reasons why that is not always possible, in these circumstances you should apply to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Director ncbf, in the first instance outlining your reasons.

Entries must be submitted either from the electronic forms on this website or from the forms in the official entry booklet available from each Regional Organiser. A non-refundable fee of £80.00 (payable to National Concert Band Festival) is payable to the NCBF Festival Office to arrive no later than the closing date for each region as indicated on the Regional Festivals page.

Payment may be made by BACS to the following account:-

SortCode 16-24-64
Account No. 10064447
Please ensure your band name and Festival invoice reference number is included.
It is also advisable you email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it of your payment.

If entries exceed the number of bands that can be accommodated at the Festival, acceptance will be at the discretion of the Regional Organiser. Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of the NCBF Festival Office and a late entry fee of £80 may be levied.


An A4 sized stage plan, with numbers of chairs and music stands required, together with some information about the band should also be submitted to the Regional Organiser before the closing date.

A draw for order of play will be taken. The decision when to take the draw will be left to the Regional Organiser. Please contact your Regional Organiser if you have any queries regarding the Regional Festival.

Invitations to the National Festival

As ncbf no longer enjoys on-going sponsorship support regretably we now have to levy an entry fee on participation in the National Festival. This is set at the same level as the Regional Festivals for this season: £80.00 (non-refundable) and will be invoiced to those bands accepting an invitation to perform.