This gave qualification to the Finals in October at The Royal Albert Hall, London. Then followed the invitation to compete at the All England Masters Championships, the British Open Championships at the Birmingham Symphony Hall and also the top entertainment contest at Spennymoor in Co Durham. In June the Band was invited to play at the Glen Miller Festival in Clarinda in the U.S.A, which proved a huge success with the audiences. There was also a concert at the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbour Detroit where the band played for invited guests from N.S.K. Corporation. In 2000 the Band became runners up at the National Finals at the Albert Hall in London and making them The English Champions. This fantastic result qualified the Band to play at the European Championships in Montreux in Switzerland in 2001 and again, to play in the Nationals in 2001. Through this success they are now ranked 8th in the country. In 2001 the Ransome Band was delighted to appoint Russell Gray as its Musical Director and Professional Conductor. Russell had recently returned to the UK from Norway where he had spent part of his time as Musical Director of the Stavanger Band. He brings with him a wealth of experience and will be working with the Ransome Band to continue building on their growing reputation, also ensuring that they continue to be one of the country's top Brass Bands.