Butlins has announced that the Central Ohio Brass Band have confirmed their entry to the 2011 Mineworkers Brass Band Festival to be held at the Skegness Resort over the weekend of January 21 – 24 next year.

First Section winners

The band recently won first prize in the First Division of the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) Championships held in Rayleigh, North Carolina and have taken up the invitation to compete in the First Section of the Butlins contest.

Diverse

Formed in 1989 as the Ohio Collegiate Brass Band the band is a non-profit organization whose members represent a diverse cross section of the Central Ohio community and a multitude of careers.

They competes regularly at NABBA and also enjoys a busy concert schedule as well as helping to promote life-long learning and to foster the brass band tradition in the United States.

Close bond

"We have had a close bond with NABBA for a number of years now and this is the culmination of that friendship", said Festival Director Steve Walker, speaking to 4BR.

"We are extremely proud that COBB are coming to Skegness. They can look forward to a very warm welcome not only from everyone here at Butlins, but also from the British brass band community."

We are extremely proud that COBB are coming to Skegness. They can look forward to a very warm welcome not only from everyone here at Butlins, but also from the British brass band communitySteve Walker

Appreciative

In addition to competing in the First Section contest, the band is also looking forward to performing a concert on Saturday evening to the usual large and appreciative Butlins audience.

"I have no doubts that the band will be in top form not only for the contest but also for the gala concert," said Rusty Morris. "I will be very excited and proud to be in the audience to see and hear COBB in action."