Brass Bands England has released details for the forthcoming National Youth Championships, which will be held at the RNCM in Manchester on Sunday.
Back at the RNCM
With the RNCM unavailable last year due to renovation work, the organisers are delighted the one day event returns to its familiar base, where two halls will be utilised throughout the day.
In releasing the details, BBE has acknowledged the support and co-operation of the competing bands who will be vying for honours across the four sections.
With thirty six bands in attendance, it should see everything completed by around 8.15pm.
The day will commence with the Beginners Section in the RNCM Theatre at 9.00am, followed by the Intermediate Section which will start around 12.45pm.
Meanwhile, the revamped RNCM Concert Hall (pictured above) will play host to seventeen bands, starting with the Beginner's Section which commences at 9.30am.
After the results ceremony at around 2.30pm, the Championship Section will take centre stage.
The bands in the Championship and Intermediate Sections will have to get to grips with the music of Jacob Wilhelm Larsen and Andrew Stevenson respectively.
The six Championship Bands will perform Larsen's ‘The Saga of Tyrfing’, whilst Stevenson's ‘Plus Ultra’ will form part of the Intermediate challenger's programme.
European invite
The two competitions will also have that extra edge with the news that once again, the highest placed English band will receive an invitation to compete at the European Brass Band Youth Championships in Lille in 2016.
Six to make the decisions
The panel of judges who will make the all important decisions during the day has also been announced.
The highly respected Simone Rebello who is Director of Percussion Studies at the RNCM will oversee the Championship Section with former Black Dyke trombonist, Derek Southcott, whilst Sheona White and Mark Harrison will get the chance to see what the Junior Section has to offer.
Simone & Derek will be keeping their eagle eyes on the players of the future in the Beginners Section with John Doyle & Ewan Easton overseeing the Intermediate Section.
Duffy's sound
Prior to the various results ceremonies, Black Dyke's former soprano player, Paul Duffy will be presenting an entertaining programme prior to the results based around his experimentation of sound.
On behalf of BBE, Gary Walczak told 4BR: "We are delighted at the number of bands who will be attending this year, especially with the Championships falling right at the end of the Easter Holidays.
We also look forward to welcoming the bands who will be making their first contest appearance".
Tickets on the day
The online ticketing system implemented by BBE has now closed but tickets can be purchased at the RNCM on Sunday.
Extra time
Any competing band or supporters using the motorway network to get to Manchester is advised to give themselves plenty of travelling time.
Firstly, the Manchester Marathon will be taking place on Sunday morning before Manchester City will be taking on West Ham United in the Premier League with a kick off time of 1.30pm and the roads in and around the city are expected to be busy.
Competing Bands:
Championship Section:
RNCM Concert Hall
‘The Saga of Tyrfing’ (Jacob Wilhelm Larsen) and Own Choice Programme. 20 minutes playing time.
Adjudicators: Simone Rebello and Derek Southcott
Commence: 3.00pm
Results Ceremony: 6.45pm
Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band (Gareth Ritter)
Lions Youth Brass (Nigel Birch)
Oldham Music Centre Youth Brass Band (Jonathan Leedale)
Northamptonshire Youth Brass Band (Brad Turnbull)
Stockport Schools Senior (Tim Dines)
Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans)
Intermediate Section:
RNCM Theatre
Plus Ultra (Andrew Stevenson) and Own Choice programme.
20 minutes playing time
Adjudicators: John Doyle and Ewan Easton
Commence: 12.45pm
Results Ceremony: 8.15pm
Aberystwyth Youth (Alan Philips)
Cardiff County & Vale of Glamorgan Youth Brass Band (Charles Maynard)
Elland Silver Youth Band (Samantha Harrison)
Enderby Youth Band (Trevor Hounsome)
Gwynedd & Mon (Gwyn Evans)
Hope Bank Youth (Simon Wood)
Macclesfield Youth (Louise Renshaw)
Milton Keynes Youth Brass (David Rose)
Rochdale Borough Youth (Steve Walsh)
Rotherham Schools (Jeremy Wade)
Tewit Youth (Malcolm Dibb)
Wardle Academy Youth (Lee Rigg)
Junior Section:
RNCM Concert Hall
Own Choice programme that must include one piece of music composed for brass band and two verses of a hymn tune.
15 minutes playing time.
Adjudicators: Sheona White and Mark Harrison
Commence: 9.30am
Results Ceremony: 2.45pm
Beaumaris Junior Band (Bethan Lowri Evans)
Bolton Junior Brass Band (Anna Hughes-Williams)
Chalford Youth (Steve Tubb)
Denbighshire Area Band (John S Powell)
Fred Longworth High School (Helen Robinson)
Gawthorpe Youth (Adam Bell)
Hope Bank Junior (Max Lawrence)
Lions Junior Brass (Tom Hancock)
Macclesfield Youth Junior Band (Tim Grindey)
Stockport Schools Intermediate Brass Band (Owen Garbutt)
Tewit Youth Intermediate Band (Steve Heningham)
Beginners Section:
RNCM Theatre
Own Choice Programme.
15 minutes playing time
Adjudicators: Simone Rebello and Derek Southcott
Commence: 9.00am
Results Ceremony: 12.35pm
Elland Silver Starter Band (David Armitage)
Great Western “Rising Stars” Band (John Winterflood)
Lions Beginner Brass (Christopher Thompson)
Macclesfield Youth Training (Liz Hudson)
Stockport Schools Junior (Marrianne Garbutt/ Steve Cavanagh)
Wardle Junior Blast (Lee Rigg)
Ysgol Bontnewydd Primary (Dylan Williams)
