Following the exciting semi final of the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist Competition, held at the BBC studios in Manchester recently, four young players have been selected to go through to the final.

Finalists

Playing for the title accompanied by Black Dyke will be:

Euphonium player James Mcleod, aged 19 from Tyne and Wear; Jonathan Bates, on tenor horn, aged 15 from Huddersfield; 20 year old Lewis Musson from Manchester on euphonium and baritone player Michael Cavanagh aged 16 from Stockport.

Judges

The adjudicators for the semi final were trumpeter Paul Archibald and tuba maestro Les Neish. Both will also adjudicate the final.

Les Neish told 4BR: "The semi final repertoire was very adventurous, technically difficult and played to an amazingly high standard.

It was a real pleasure to listen to such accomplished music making and I'm looking forward to judging the four finalists on 19th February and to hearing what they have to offer in performance."

I'm looking forward to judging the four finalists on 19th February and to hearing what they have to offer in performanceLes Neish

Unique opportunity

Two performance prizes will give the winner the unique opportunity to play with the BBC Concert Orchestra on Radio 2’s flagship live music programme ‘Friday Night Is Music Night’, and to play as a soloist with a top section band at a prestigious event.

Final

The final will be held on Saturday 19th February at The Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester.

Highlights will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Thursday 24th February at 9.30pm.