There will be full house signs up in the famous Yorkshire village of Brighouse over the weekend of 30th June/ 1st July for the 13th Lions Festival of Brass.
The line-up of competitors taking part in this year’s Brighouse Lions March & Hymn Tune Contest in the Town Hall Square on Sunday 1st July is now complete, with a full-house line up of 26 bands.
Huge entry
Entries have been received from all over the UK with bands travelling from Hampshire, Wales, Midlands, Lancashire and North, South and East Yorkshire in addition to many local bands, including two Yorkshire Champions in Clifton & Lightcliffe (Section 2) and Elland Silver (Section 3).
In fact, no less than eight Championship, three 1st Section, two 2nd Section, four 3rd Section, five 4th Section and four Youth Section bands will entertain the packed crowds, who also travel from far and wide to the popular charity event in aid of local Lions charities.
The line-up of competitors taking part in this year’s Brighouse Lions March & Hymn Tune Contest in the Town Hall Square on Sunday 1st July is now complete, with a full-house line up of 26 bands4BR
Brass the Baton
The British Federation of Brass Bands cultural Olympiad project ‘Brass the Baton’ will be incorporated into the event with the specially composed music by Paul Lovatt-Cooper, ‘Going the Distance’ performed by the Elland Youth Band around 1pm.
The black baton will travel down Bethel Street (depicting one of the five rings of the Olympic logo) and be on display for the duration of the Festival.
BBC Yorkshire Brass
David Hoyle of BBC Radio Leeds will present his radio band slot ‘Yorkshire Brass’ direct from the Town Hall Square, with interviews. His amusing comments are appreciated by the many dedicated listeners to this popular radio banding programme.
Top Men in the box
Adjudicators this year are Colin Hardy, Gordon Higginbottom, Alan Widdop and Pascal Eicher from Switzerland, who will judge where the £2,000 in prize money will end up.
Sunday concert
The Saturday evening concert this year features Wardle Anderson Brass at the Central Methodist Church.
Included in the programme will be the Salford University/Kirklees Award winner, ‘Ascension’, composed by Stephen Richardson and will also feature a first appearance of Kirklees Music Brass, conducted by Dennis Wilby, an ensemble featuring popular music with solos from horn virtuoso William Rushworth and 13 year old Charlotte Horsfield on trombone.
Sponsors
Major Sponsors for the Festival this year are Kershaw’s Garden Centre, Yamaha-Kemble Music (UK) Ltd, Kirklees Music, Blakeley’s Take-Away & Fish Restaurant, The Black Bull Hotel, Pub & Restaurant,(Wetherspoons), T.G.Webster (Insurance Services) Ltd, Mr. & Mrs. Weyland Roberts & Brigitte Matthews.
