Beyond the falls - The smoke that thunders selected for Great Britain National Contest

The test-pieces to be performed at the finals of the 2026 National Championships of Great Britain have been announced by Kapitol Promotions. Andrew's Beyond the Falls — The Smoke That Thunders will challenge the First Section bands at York Barbican on Saturday 19th September 2026.

The work references the journey of David Livingstone, the Scottish missionary and explorer whose expeditions from 1841 until his death in 1873 took him deep into the interior of the African continent.

The music captures the harrowing and ultimately triumphant journey that led to his discovery of Victoria Falls. Originally composed for the GUS Band’s performance at the 2012 Brass in Concert Championships, the piece was expanded in 2026 for the Black Dyke Band’s recording, Gothique Fantasy – The Music of Andrew Wainwright.

The work is published by Prima Vista Musikk and available here.