The popular early season Brass at the Guild Hall contest has announced a new musical approach for its competing bands.

Choice

The 2013 event which takes place at Preston’s Guild Hall on Sunday 3rd of February will see competitors given the choice of performing either their Area test piece or the choice of appropriate set work from the Butlins Mineworkers Championship.

Organisers Lancashire Contests hope the new approach will encourage bands to target the competition in good contesting form, as it takes place just after Skegness, but before the round of Area events.

Best form

A spokesperson told 4BR: "We want to encourage as many bands as possible to enter – and to try and ensure that they can come in top contesting form. It’s a slightly different approach, but one we think will benefit the bands through giving them the choice."

The contest will be in five nationally graded sections — Championship, First, Second, Third and Fourth, with a prize fund of £4000.

Contest organiser Frank Hodges also revealed that the event will see the opportunity for the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators to continue with their innovative mentoring scheme.

We want to encourage as many bands as possible to enter – and to try and ensure that they can come in top contesting formContest organisers

Test Piece choices:

Championship: Harmony Music (Sparke)/ A Tale as yet Untold (Sparke)
First Section: Brass Triumphant (Wood)/ 'Ad Undas' — 'to the waves' (Churcher)
Second Section: The Plantagenets (Gregson)/In Memorium (Buxton)
Third Section: Hollywood! (Richards)/ A Gallimaufry Suite (Harper)
Fourth Section: Devon Fantasy (Ball)/ A Saddleworth Festival Overture (Richards)

Further information:

For further information please contact Frank Hodges Contest Administrator for Lancashire Contests.

Frank Hodges, 39 Broxton Avenue, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 8NP
Telephone 01942 703217
Mobile 07930 562768
Email: frankhodges@btinternet.com