Further details of the popular season opening Brass at the Guild contest have been announced by organisers Lancashire Contests.
Choice
The event, which takes place at Preston’s Guild Hall on Sunday 1st February will enable bands to showcase their early season form on a choice of either their set work for the forthcoming Area contests, or the Butlins Mineworkers Championship.
The six sections will feature 40 bands, with Michael Fowles, David Horsfield, Dave Lea, Adrian Morris and Adam Taylor making the all important decisions to see who gets their hands on the generous prizes funds.
Highest placed band
In addition, the highest placed band in the Championship Section event, who is not already invited to the British Open Spring Festival in Blackpool, will gain an automatic invitation to compete in the Senior Trophy in May.
Last minute chance
Any band wishing to take up a last minute invitation to compete is asked to get in touch with contest administrator Frank Hodges (details below).
Lancashire Contests has also confirmed that the event will also include the British Open Youth in the Charter Theatre.
Exciting British Open Youth addition
A spokesperson told 4BR: “The exciting addition of the prestigious British Open title is on offer through the kind permission of Karyn & Martin Mortimer, to whom Lancashire Contests are very grateful.”
The format of the competition is a 20 minute own choice programme of entertaining music plus a short set piece provided by the organisers from composer, Adam Taylor. The set piece is entitled 'Monteverdi – Three Miniatures'.
the highest placed band in the Championship Section event, who is not already invited to the British Open Spring Festival in Blackpool, will gain an automatic invitation to compete in the Senior Trophy in May4BR
Set works
The test pieces that bands can choose from are as follows:
Championship Section:
Test Pieces: Facets of the Heart (Tom Davoren) or Symphonic Variations on a Theme by Eric Ball — The Torchbearer (Peter Graham)
First Sectio:
Test Pieces: Three English Folk Songs (Andrew Boysen Jnr. Arr Mike Kilmartin) or A London Overture (Philip Sparke)
Second Section:
Test Pieces: Phoenix (David Holling) or Variations of Maccabeus (Kevin Norbury)
Third Section:
Test Pieces: Woodland Pictures (Percy Fletcher arr. Nigel Hall) or Evolution—Five States of Change (Philip Sparke)
Fourth Section:
Test Pieces: Five French Masters (Chris North) or An English Pastorale — Dean Jones
British Open Youth at the Guild:
A 20-minute own choice programme that must include the set work; 'Monteverdi – Three Miniatures' by Adam Taylor.
The list of competing bands will be published in due course.
Further details
Further details and enquires should be addressed to:
Frank Hodges
39, Broxton Avenue
Orrell
Wigan
WN5 8NP
Tel: 01942 212418
Email: frankhodges@btinternet.com
Further information on Lancashire Contests can be found at the following link:
