The six players who have made it through to the semi final of the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist Award for 2011 have been announced.

The six players are: Trumpeter Calum Tonner, aged 17 from Angus in Scotland; Tenor horn player Hannah Drage, aged 18 from Towcester, Northants; Baritone player Michael Cavanagh, aged 16 from Stockport; Euphonium player James Mcleod, aged 19 from Tyne and Wear; Tenor horn player Jonathan Bates, aged 15 from Huddersfield and euphonium player Lewis Musson, aged 20 from Manchester.

Semi final

The semi-final will take place on Saturday 22nd January at the BBC studios in Manchester, where the players will be accompanied by Rothwell Temperance Band.

Each performer will record up to 10 minutes of music which will be sent to the judges, who jointly select four performers for the final.

Each performer will record up to 10 minutes of music which will be sent to the judges, who jointly select four performers for the final4BR

Highlights and Final

Highlights of the semi-final will be broadcast in Frank Renton's Listen To The Band programme on Thursday 3rd February.

The final, presented by Frank Renton, is on Saturday 19th February at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where one of the performers will receive a trophy as well as an invitation to perform as a guest soloist with one of the UK's top brass bands.

The winner

The winner will also be awarded with a guest appearance on Radio 2's Friday Night is Music Night – which, in 2010, has featured artists such as Bryn Terfel, Paloma Faith and Michael Ball. The final will be broadcast on Radio 2 shortly after.

The award, which was presented in 2010 to 18-year-old Matthew White, was 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.