David Gillson, Grant Jameson, Matilda Lloyd and Ryan Watkins will compete in the final of the 2014 BBC Radio Young Brass Award at Media City in Salford next month.
Talented
The talented quartet were announced on a special programme broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Thursday evening by semi final judges, Paul Cosh and Ewan Easton.
Missing out
In what Ewan described as a "difficult decision", it meant that two members of the British Open holders, Tredegar, Hannah Drage (tenor horn) and Philip Tait (cornet) narrowly missed out on a finals berth along with Grimethorpe Colliery's baritone player, Michael Cavanagh and trombonist, Rhiannon Symonds.
Each of the semi finalists recorded up to ten minutes of music for the judges to assess in January where they were accompanied by Foden's Band under conductor Michael Fowles.
Not four of a kind
The final will showcase four different instrumentalists: Matilda Lloyd plays trumpet, whilst David Gillson is a cornet student at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester in addition to playing with the Fairey Band.
Tongwynlais Temperance's, euphonium star, American, Grant Jameson, studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, with Brighouse & Rastrick trombonist, Ryan Watkins, named as the fourth finalist.
Eclectic mix
There was a variety of repertoire showcased by the contenders, with Matilda opting for the last two movements two of Haydn's 'Trumpet Concerto' whilst David Gillson included Carl Hohne's 'Slavische Fantasie'.
Grant Jameson opted to include the 4th movement, 'A Troika? Tidy!' from the Karl Jenkins 'Euphonium Concerto', with Ryan Watkins admitting he consulted Professor David King before selecting 'Soul and Free' from Andy Scott's 'Trombone Concerto' 'Molecular Cocktail Party'.
In the footsteps
The winner of the award, which is now in its tenth year, will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Stephen Sykes, Katrina Marzella, Lewis Musson, Ben Thomson, Matthew White and Josiah Walters.
The final, to be broadcast live on March 28th, will be judged by Ian Bousfield, Catherine Moore and Professor Edward Gregson and will be presented by Ken Bruce with Frank Renton conducting Grimethorpe Colliery Band.
The 2014 BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award winner will come from one of four different instrumentalists with three playing in a Championship Section Band4BR
Prize
The award winner will take home the special trophy, be offered a further broadcast opportunity with a performance at the European Festival of Brass Gala Concert in Perth on Saturday May 3rd, and will be the featured artist in a future edition of ‘Listen to the Band’.
Listen to semi final
To listen to the eight semi finalists and for details of how to get tickets for the final, click on the link below which should be online till next Thursday evening (13th):
