Entries are now being sought for the popular Brass at the Guild Hall and a new British Open Youth contest, which will take place in Preston on Sunday 2nd February.

For the second year running, 'Guild Hall' competing bands may select from a choice of either the 2014 Regional Championship test pieces or the 2014 Butlins Mineworkers Championship set work, if they are to claim a slice of the generous £4000 prize pot in the five nationally graded sections.

Accommodating rules

A spokesperson told 4BR: "The aim of the accommodating rules of Lancashire Contests is to provide bands with the opportunity to evaluate their progress in preparation for the regional event.

Championship Section bands will therefore be able to choose between either ‘Energy’ by Robert Simpson or ‘St Magnus’ by Kenneth Downie, whilst First Section contenders can balance their chances between ‘Vitae Aeternum’ by Paul Lovatt — Cooper, or ‘Cry of the Mountain’ by Howard Lorriman.

Second Section challengers can choose between ‘Kenilworth’ by Arthur Bliss or ‘Chaucer's Tunes’ by Michael Ball, whilst in the Third Section it will be between ‘Music for a Festival’ by Philip Sparke or ‘Partita for Band — Postcards from Home’ by Philip Wilby. Fourth Section bands can choose between ‘Three Saints’ by Goff Richards or ‘Three Spanish Impressions’ by Alan Fernie."

Youth contest

In addition, organisers Lancashire Contests have announced that a ‘British Open Youth at the Guild Festival Contest’ will take place in the Charter Theatre on the same date.

The spokesperson added: "The prestigious British Open brass band title has been secured with kind permission of Karyn & Martin Mortimer, to whom Lancashire Contests are very grateful."

Format

The format of the competition is a 20 minute own choice programme of entertaining music, plus a short set piece provided by the organisers. The set piece will be available upon receipt of entry.

To help with competitors needs the organisers will have a pre-drawn order of play and open adjudication with written adjudication reports.

Band Members should be aged 19 or under, but bands can use four over age players preferably with previous association with the band to keep within the spirit of the Festival. The number of players is not restricted.

The prestigious British Open brass band title has been secured with kind permission of Karyn & Martin Mortimer, to whom Lancashire Contests are very gratefulContest organisers

Prizes

There will be a generous prize fund on offer with £300, £200 and £100 to the podium finishers as well as certificates of participation, a separate ‘Best Set Work’ award and with the ‘Best Soloist’ able to undertake five free lessons with the highly respected brass band conductor and tutor Paul Andrews.

The winning band will also be asked to play their winning programme at the conclusion of the Championship Section in the Guild Hall.

Further information

For all further information on both contests, please contact:

Frank Hodges
39 Broxton Avenue
Orrell
Wigan
WN5 8NP

Telephone: 01942 703217
Mobile: 07930 562768
Email: frankhodges@btinternet.com