The Butlins Mineworkers National Open Brass Band Festival 2014, which also incorporates the Butlins Youth Band Festival, has announced a spectacular weekend of competition and entertainment at their Skegness Resort, which takes place between the 17th & 20th January.

£10,000 first prize

With an engaging list of set works and a huge £10,000 first prize on offer to the newly crowned Championship Section winners, it is hoped that the packed audiences will enjoy a great start to the 2014 competition season.

On Saturday 18th, the top flight contenders will have to get to grips with Robert Simpson’s ‘Energy’, with the First Section rivals faced with Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s ‘Vitae Aeternum’.

The classic ‘Kenilworth’ is the test awaiting the Second Section bands, with the popular ‘Music for a Festival’ facing the Third Section contenders and Goff Richards’s colourful ‘Three Saints’ set to test the Fourth Section rivals.

Relax

The following day, the destination of the biggest pay cheque in banding will be decided after the entertainment programmes presented by the top section bands, hosted by Frank Renton.

Meanwhile, guests can relax before the announcement of the results in the new multi million pound Waterworld and the Spa, in addition to all the usual high class entertainment and facilities.

Brass band entertainment

There will be plenty for brass band lovers to enjoy with concerts by defending champion Virtuosi GUS and defending Youth Band champion Youth Brass 2000, with special guest Chris Dean, on Friday 18th, along with the Horndog Brass Band.

The Horndog repertoire is made up of original compositions, augmented by brassed up cover versions ranging from Aerosmith to the Grange Hill theme tune, alongside more ‘traditional’ funk with a New Orleans twist, paying tribute to the band’s key influences such as the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Youngblood Brass Band, Galactic, Lou Donaldson and Herbie Hancock.

Late night slant

Brett Baker’s University of Salford Graduation Band will be at Reds on Saturday 18th for what promises to be a hugely entertaining programme, whilst the late night Parpenrifters Bavarian Band will deliver their brilliant mix of traditional Bavarian music and modern arrangements, all with an intriguing slant!

Audience participation is key to the show as they have games galore to keep the crowd on their toes! Forfeits have to be undertaken for the losers of the games and, of course, there are prizes for the winners.

Licensed to Thrill

At Centre Stage, the Syd Lawrence Orchestra with their brand new show ‘Licensed to Thrill’ will be featured in a celebration of the music of James Bond, specially written by the band’s pianist Trevor Brown, and featuring Chris Dean on trombone.

In addition one of Europe’s most successful tribute acts ‘A Vision of Elvis’ featuring the Memphis Horns are sure to bring the evening to a rousing finale.

Grimey and JSVB

Grimethorpe Colliery Band will appear in concert on Sunday 19th, whilst James Shepherd Versatile Brass, featuring the great man himself brings the Sunday evening gala to a close.

Mbale support

Festival Director, Steve Walker told 4BR: "Butlins are committed to providing the very best entertainment and this year will be no different, whilst we will continue to help support the ‘Brass for Mbale’, project to help develop young brass players in Uganda."

First African band

Steve revealed that under MD Phillip Monk, the Mbale Youth Brass Band also hope to become the first African brass band to compete in a UK contest.

"It’s about much more than that though," Steve added. "It’s a real chance to help our fellow brass banders in their struggle against hunger, poverty and illness.

We are currently trying to raise money to build them a band room. The children rehearse under a tarpaulin which is little use in the rainy season whilst our long term aim is to raise the funds to invite the Mbale children to compete in the Youth Section here at Butlins."

Butlins are committed to providing the very best entertainment and this year will be no differentFestival Director Steve Walker

Book a break

A three night break based on four guests sharing a standard self-catering apartment for the weekend is just £60.00 per person if booked before December 31st and includes accommodation, entertainment and parking.

Please note all offers are subject to promotional availability. To book your Butlins break please visit www.butlins.com , or call 0845 070 4751.

Day tickets

Day visit tickets are available for Saturday 18th January only, due to the limited venue capacity for the entertainment competition on the Sunday.

Prices are £21 per adult, £13 per child 2 – 14, with under 2s free.

Please note that all competitors who are not resident on Resort must purchase a day visit ticket to gain entry to Resort on Saturday January 18th. Day tickets are available to purchase from Monday January 6th.

Butlins recommend these are purchased in advance by calling the Butlins Day Visits on 01754 762311 by Tuesday 14th January.