The contest organisers of the Brass at the Guild contest in Preston have announced that they are delighted with the number entrants who have already signed up to play at the event at Preston Guild Hall on Sunday 24th January.

The contest is generously supported by R. Banks & Son (Funerals Ltd) through proprietor Brian Halliwell, and encompasses the British Open Youth at the Guild contest.

Room

Organised by Lancashire Contests there is now only room for a few extra bands to complete the line-ups in the Second, Third and Fourth Sections. Those interested are asked to confirm their intentions by e-mail by Tuesday 22nd December.

This will enable a pre-draw be carried out on Wednesday 23rd with all the relevant start times, player forms and percussion lists being sent out over the Christmas/New Year break.

Showcase

The event 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.

In addition, the highest placed band in the Championship Section, 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.

Thanks

A spokesperson told 4BR: "Lancashire Contests would like to thank in advance the bands that have already entered and thank any bands who intend to enter for their co-operation in confirming by next Tuesday."

The test pieces selected are as follows:

Lancashire Contests would like to thank in advance the bands that have already entered and thank any bands who intend to enter for their co-operation in confirming by next TuesdayBrass at the Guild contest

Championship Section:
Breath of Souls (Paul Lovatt-Cooper) or Cambridge Variations (Philip Sparke)

First Section:
A Celt in Jerusalem (Ian McElligott) or Essay (Edward Gregson)

Second Section:
Fire in the Blood (Paul Lovatt-Cooper) or The Mermaid of Zennor (Philip Harper)

Third Section:
Platform to the Heavens (Paul Lovatt-Cooper) or A Cambrian Suite (Michael Ball)

Fourth Section:
The Seafarers (Bruce Fraser/Lomond Music} or The Journal of Phileas Fogg (Peter Graham)

British Open Youth at the Guild:
A 20-minute own choice programme

The list of competing bands and adjudicators will be published in due course.

Schedules and entry forms can be down loaded from www.lancashirecontests.com

Further details:

Further details and enquires should be addressed to:

Frank Hodges
39, Broxton Avenue
Orrell
Wigan
WN5 8NP

Tel: 01942 212418
E-mail: frankhodges@btinternet.com