Brass Bands International, sponsors of the U.S. Open Brass Band Championships, announces the lineup of bands that have accepted the invitation to compete in the 2010 entertainment contest to be held November 6, 2010.

The Bands
The Brass Band of Central Florida, from Orlando, Florida, which has competed every year of the Open and won on 3 occasions, will make their eighth appearance this year with their new conductor, Chad Shoopman.

The Eastern Iowa Brass Band from Mt. Vernon, Iowa has competed in six previous Opens and will be led by an as-yet-to-announced conductor.

Defending champions, Scottish Open Champions and three-time U.S. Open Champions, the Fountain City Brass Band from Kansas City, Missouri will again be conducted by Dr. Joe Parisi.

Making their long-awaited debut at this year’s Open is the brass band from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, under the leadership of Kevin Stees.

Appearing for the third consecutive year is the Madison Brass Band from Madison, Wisconsin, led by music director Craig Mason.

The entertaining and innovative Ohio Brass Band from Columbus, Ohio, also making their third appearance at the Open, will be directed this year by Tim Jameson.

Serving as the host band, the local group, the Prairie Brass Band of Arlington Heights, Illinois, will be competing for the eighth time at this year’s Open, under the leadership of director Dallas Niermeyer.

Returning for the second year at the Open is the Weston Silver Band from the Toronto suburb of Weston, led again this year by Larry Shields.

The Contest
The contest takes place in St. Charles, Illinois at the Norris Cultural Arts Center and although the adjudication panel won’t be revealed for several days, the committee is once again proud to announce that, as he has every year since the contest’s inception, Frank Renton will serve as host and announcer for the day’s event. Frank is truly “The Voice of the U.S. Open”

Preview
The Saturday contest is preceded by the Friday night “Buskers’ Preview” held at the nearby Real Time Sports Bar, where many of the small ensembles, known as Buskers, preview their acts to a packed house in preparation for their Saturday competition, held between the performances of the competing bands.

AwardsTrophies, cash prizes and awards are presented at the Gala Awards Banquet held Saturday night following the contest at a nearby steak house. You can check the contest’s website for further details and information concerning
tickets.