The semi final stages of this year's BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award took place at a snowy Media City in Salford last weekend.

Eight talented performers

The eight talented performers Aaron Akugbo, Siobhan Bates, Adam Bokaris, Joshua Cirtina, David Gillson, Ben Goldscheider, Grant Jameson and Jack Lapthorn (pictured above), each recorded up to 10 minutes of music of their own choice with the Brighouse & Rastrick Band and conductor Alan Morrison.

The judges making the all important decisions are Jamie Prophet and Stephen Roberts, with Frank Renton announcing the names of the four players selected to go through to the Final in an extended edition of Radio 2’s ‘Listen to the Band’ on Thursday February 12th starting at the earlier time of 11.00pm.

High standards

The producer of the Radio 2 competition, Terry Carter told 4BR that 'the amazingly high standard of playing and the interesting choice of repertoire made for a fascinating round of the competition'.

Final

The Final, to be broadcast live on March 27th at 8pm, will take place at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

It will be presented by Ken Bruce with Frank Renton conducting the Grimethorpe Colliery Band who will feature the music of John Williams during the evening.

'The amazingly high standard of playing and the interesting choice of repertoire made for a fascinating round of the competition’Terry Carter

Tickets

Tickets for the final are free and available from the RNCM box office or via www.bbc.co.uk/youngbrassaward