BBC Radio 2 is inviting applicants for its 2011 Young Brass Soloist Award.

Deadline

Launched last week, the deadline for entries is midnight on Saturday 11th December.

The 2011 winner will receive a trophy, an invitation to perform as guest soloist with one of the UK's top brass bands and a guest appearance on Radio 2's Friday Night Is Music Night.

2010 winner

The 2010 competition was won by Matthew White and he will perform live as a soloist with the BBC Concert Orchestra on Radio 2's Friday Night Is Music Night on Friday 14 January next year.

The competition is open to all brass players under the age of 21 of Grade 8, or equivalent standard, and who play regularly with a brass band, wind band or orchestra and are resident in the UK.

Stages

Stage One will be judged by a panel of BBC experts. Six players will be selected to take part in Stage Two at the BBC Studios in Manchester in January next year where they will record up to 10 minutes of music with a championship standard brass band.

Two judges will then select four performers to go through to Stage Three – the awards final – which takes place in February at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, and will air on Radio 2 shortly after.

The young musicians will be accompanied by Black Dyke Band and will perform in front of an audience.

I'm delighted that once again Radio 2 is searching for the finest young brass performers from the wealth of talent among the UK's brass playing communityBob Shennan, BBC Radio 2 Controller

Finest young brass performers

Bob Shennan, Controller BBC Radio 2, said: "I'm delighted that once again Radio 2 is searching for the finest young brass performers from the wealth of talent among the UK's brass playing community.

Through this competition Radio 2 is continuing its on-going commitment to showcasing music at a grass-roots level, as well as giving these gifted young musicians a platform on which to perform."

For further information and application forms, visit the Radio 2 website.