Derwent Brass has also been successful on the traditional brass band contest scene, being originally a 3rd section band and achieving Championship section status in 2004.. The route to this success included holding number one position in both 2nd & 3rd section league tables consecutively and four appearances
at the Boosey & Hawkes National Championship Finals, achieving the runner up prize in that national competition in 1998 and 4th in 2002. The band have won local competitions over the years and soloists from the band have been regularly recognised. At the Dronfield nvitation entertainment contest the band took first prize at their first visit along with the soloist prize awarded to principal cornet David Neville. The first Championship section victory came in 2004 when the band won the Gloucestershire Association contest, also being awarded prizes for best overall instrumentalist, best flugel & best euphonium.
