Eleven bands will compete at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Sunday 9th February in a bid to be to be crowned the 2014 Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Champions of Great Britain.
Defending champion returns
Youth Brass 2000, led by Chris Jeans will return to Blackpool to defend their title whilst the newly-crowned Butlins Junior Ensemble winners, Wardle Junior Academy will also be in attendance.
Candles and cake
This year's event is a landmark year as the contest celebrates its 30th year in style with the contest remaining in The Opera House, the home for the North West Regional Championship Section and the Spring Festival's, Grand Shield.
Experienced judging duo
The judges for the competition will be the experienced duo of Michael Fowles and Colin Hardy. Michael will judge the music element whilst Colin will focus on the entertainment.
Pre-draws and lunch break
The organiser of the contest, Gary Walczak has informed 4BR that omce again, the first three bands have been pre-drawn and notified to aid travelling to Blackpool whilst their will be a lunch break after band number five has performed.
Speaking with 4BR Gary was delighted not to just have eleven bands competing at the contest but looking forward to what promises to be a fabulous musical party. "It's great once again that we have a strong line up of bands. As has been the case for a number of years, bands are working on elaborate and imaginative twenty minute sets to not only demonstrate their banding ability, but showcase their ability to entertain. Bands could not wish for a better platform to do this than the Opera House stage".
Euphonium award
Gary also announced that the competition will award a new prize to the best euphonium section of the day in memory of Peter Ward, a stalwart and popular figure at the event.
Gary told 4BR "Peter had been connected with the event for a large number of years and was an ever present member of the hard working stage crew who sadly passed away towards the end of 2013 and he will be sadly missed".
Pre-results entertainment
Prior to announcing the results and which band will receive an invitation to perform at Brass in Concert in November, The Simone Rebello and students from the RNCM in Manchester, will perform a short concert.
The competing bands:
Egglescliffe School Brass Band (Matthew Haworth)
Elland Silver Youth (Samantha Harrison)
Enderby Youth Band (Trevor Hounsome)
Hammonds Youth Brass Band (Jamie Smith)
Houghton Area Youth Band (Brian Adams)
Macclesfield Youth Brass Band (Louise Renshaw)
Poynton Youth Brass Band (Mike Eccles)
Rochdale Borough Youth Band (Steve Walsh)
Seindorf Beaumaris Youth Band (Gwyn M. Evans)
Wardle Academy Junior Band (Gwen Smith)
Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans)
Bands are working on elaborate and imaginative twenty minute sets to not only demonstrate their banding ability, but showcase their ability to entertain Gary Walczak
Ticket details
The start time for the contest is 10.30am with the doors opening at 9.00am.
The ticket prices are as follows: Adults £9:00, OAP, £7.00 Children £5:00, with a family ticket available @ £30 for 2 Adults and 2 Children, including a programme.
