The new musical and presentational categories that have been put in place for the forthcoming Brass in Concert Championships have met with widespread support according to the event organisers.

Straw poll

A quick straw poll from 4BR around some of the competing bands has also confirmed that the new format has been welcomed wholeheartedly with many leading bands believing that it offers greater scope for invention and innovation.

Event spokesperson John Woods told 4BR: “The 11 MDs and their competing bands invited to this year’s Brass in Concert Championship at The Sage Gateshead on 18th November will no doubt be considering all their options in planning and preparing their programme content.”

Thinking caps on

In response one MD told 4BR: "I believe the new format will give the bands plenty to think about – and the opportunity to explore new, exciting musical avenues of banding entertainment. The thinking caps are on!"

Format

As previously reported on 4BR, a new category has been introduced to recognise the importance of the quality of bands’ programme content, which will now account for 20% of the available points.

Quality of performance will still account for 60% of the marks, while entertainment and presentation will now be awarded 20% of the total.

As always, individual excellence will be recognised with a number of awards for soloists, composers and conductors.

Judges

The list of adjudicators will include Quality of Performance: Paul Cosh and Luc Vertommen: Programme Content: Andrew Duncan: Entertainment & Presentation: Steve Walker: Soloists: Les Neish

Expertise

John Woods added: "We are delighted to be able to have engaged such a high-quality panel of judges for this year’s event – each bringing experience and expertise to their roles.

We are confident our new system is appropriate for the event’s status as the leading entertainment contest in the world."

I believe the new format will give the bands plenty to think about – and the opportunity to explore new, exciting musical avenues of banding entertainment. The thinking caps are on!Competing MD

Tickets

Demand for Tickets for the Brass in Concert Championship is invariably high, with tickets at a premium, so if you are planning to be there then an early call to the box office is recommended.

Tickets are priced at £27.00, £21.00 and £14.00 and are available from www.thesagegateshead.org or by calling 0191 443 4661.

Concert

The World of Brass in Concert, featuring the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, Cory and Black Dyke, will take place at 7.00pm on 17th November, also at The Sage Gateshead.

Tickets are priced at £22.00, £18.00 and £12.00, and are available from the above sources.