The second half of the 2015 contest season continues to gain further momentum following the British Open Championship in Birmingham last weekend, with an attractive line-up of bands ready to lock horns at the Dr Martin Wainstones Cup competition.

Lucrative

Now in its sixth year, it is one of the most lucrative top flight contests of the year, and will take place on Sunday September 13th at its new home at the purpose built Princess Alexander Auditorium (above) of Yarm School near Stockton on Tees.

The contest is open to Championship Section challengers, who will perform a march, own choice solo feature and own choice test piece selection in their bid to get their hands on the £4,000 first prize.

Podium finishers will also pick up £2,000 and £1,000, with the fourth placed band receiving £500 and each entrant £300. There are also prizes for the 'Best Soloist' and 'Best March' performance.

Defending champion

The defending champion is the Reg Vardy Band (above), who will be up against rivals from the North East, North West, Midlands and Yorkshire.

The contest kicks off at 11.00am with the first of the competitors from the line-up that includes in alphabetical order — Easington Colliery; East Yorkshire Motor Services; Fishburn; Marsden Silver Prize; Rainford; Reg Vardy; Staffordshire; Thoresby Colliery; Wingates; York Railways Institute and Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel.

Music

Music to be performed this year includes classic marches such as 'The President', Knight Templar', 'Praise', 'Torchbearer' and 'ORB', with test piece selections as varied as 'Contest Music', 'On the Shoulder of Giants', 'Vita Aeterna Variations', 'Arabian Nights', 'Of Distant Memories', 'Facets of the Heart' and 'Jazz' amongst others.

There are also some mouth-watering solo features too with 'The Children of Sanchez', 'Bravura', 'On with the Motley', 'Eyes of a Child' 'Autumn Leaves' and 'Slavische Fantasie' already on band's programmes.

The defending champion is the Reg Vardy Band, who will be up against rivals from the North East, North West, Midlands and Yorkshire4BR

New venue

Speaking on behalf of the event, Steve Goodwin told 4BR: "The Dr Martins Contest continues to grow each year — and with our new venue and an exciting line-up of competitors all wishing to get their hands on a huge prize fund there will be plenty of great brass band music making to enjoy.

We hope such a great line-up of bands and plenty of wonderful music will attract yet more people to the superb facilities at our new home."

Tickets

Tickets: Adult £8; Concessions £6; Under 16 — FREE
Box Office (01642) 786023