The British Open has formally announced the three test pieces chosen for the 2010 Spring Festival to be held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Saturday 15th May.

Grand Shield

Bands hoping to take the final step and join the elite contenders at the British Open will have to overcome Edward Gregson's 'Rococo Variation' — used at the British Open in 2008.

Dragon

Meanwhile the Senior Cup contenders will battle with Philip Sparke's 'Year of the Dragon' and the Senior Trophy wil have to overcome the difficulties posed by the classic Frank Wright arrangement of 'Le Roi d'Y's'.

We strongly believe that having spent a number of years building the Spring Festival into a serious contest that has encouraged strong interest from the bands as well as achieving a high standard of music, the competition must continueMartin Mortimer

Loss of sponsorship

The announcement comes on the back of confirmation of the withdrawal of the sponsorship from Leisure Parcs, who have supported the event since it was moved to Blackpool.

4BR understands this has come about following the loss of grant aid to the Winter Gardens facility from Blackpool City Council.

With such news coming at a time when all cultural events are finding sponsorship deals hard to come by the shortfall of around £12,000 in terms of the cost of the running of the three contests and the hire of the halls will be met by the competing bands as well as help from the British Open itself.

4BR understands that the entry fee for competing bands has risen from £100 to £200.

Vital sponsorship

Contest Organiser Martin Mortimer told 4BR: "Obviously we are disappointed that Leisure Parcs has withdrawn their support at this late stage, but we thank them for their vital sponsorship over many years at Blackpool."

He added: "We strongly believe that having spent a number of years building the Spring Festival into a serious contest that has encouraged strong interest from the bands as well as achieving a high standard of music, the competition must continue.

"We have managed to achieve this by, in effect, acting as our own sponsors and asking for the support of the bands. The Spring Festival is not a profit making event but we run this for the bands and to provide a strong qualifying platform for The British Open."

Winter Gardens

Martin concluded: "We have decided to keep the contest at The Winter Gardens as the venue, with its three halls, cafes and bars, enables this to be a sociable event where supporters and bands can listen to the music and meet with friends and family.

"We thank the bands for their continued support and look forward to seeing them in Blackpool."