Six soloists have been battling it out today (Saturday 30th) at the BBC Studios in Manchester for a place in the final of the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist of the Year to be held just down the road at the RNCM on Saturday 20th February.

Behind closed doors

In previous years, the semi final stages have been recorded for transmission before an invited audience but this year it has all been done behind closed doors with Foden's and Michael Fowles accompanying the players during their performance of no more than ten minutes of music.

Six of the best

The qualifiers that recorded a variety of repertoire that will be judged by Philip Cobb and Richard Evans are:

Zoe Hancock (18) from St. Austell — flugel
Patrick Kenny (20) from Edinburgh — trombone
Vicki Reynolds (19) from Nuneaton — french horn
Matthew White (19) from Westhoughton — euphonium
Jonathan Bates (14) from Huddersfield — tenor horn
Benjamin Richeton (20) from Salford — Bb cornet

David Moore (20) who was shortlisted to have progressed to what the BBC referred to as stage two withdrew in advance of today's recording.

The four finalists who have made it through to the final will be announced later in the week4BR

Decision later in the week

The producer of the competition, Terry Carter told 4BR that the 'judges will assess the music performed by all the six competitors and they will then make their decisions with the final four being announced later in the week'.

Highlights of the days proceedings will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Friday 19th February with the final being aired a week later.

Free tickets

Free tickets limited to 4 per application are available from the Royal Northern College of Music website ( www.rncm.ac.uk) or from the Box Office (0161 907 5555) for the final on Saturday 20th February starting at 7.30pm.

Black Dyke will be the accompanying band and the four finalists who are chosen will aim to join Brenden Wheeler, Katrina Marzella, Ben Thomson and Stephen Sykes as a winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist of the Year.