The competing bands at Butlins in two of the five sections will have more to think about than their standard of chalet they'd like to book for next year's competitions.

Proactive thinking

In what can be viewed as a forward thinking and proactive step, the organisers of the Butlins Mineworkers Festival have announced that the Championship and Fourth Section bands can play what they wish next year.

The First, Second and Third Sections have had their pieces named but the Musical Advisor to Butlins, Stan Lippeatt outlined his thoughts to 4BR ahead of the Championship Section on Saturday afternoon.

Numbers game?

"The Championship & Fourth Sections are the two sections this year with the lowest number of competing bands and after a lot of soul searching, discussion and speaking to bands who were going to come originally before unfortunately having to withdraw, the aim is to see what the bands come up with".

Stan also admitted that the choice of Paul Lovatt-Cooper's 'Breath of Souls' was a demanding ask before adding that 'hindsight is a wonderful thing' but that he now wanted to put the ball in the bands court and see how they respond.

Old or modern, your choice

With a wry smile, Stan openly admitted that it could well be that a band decides to compete and play a modern day work of substantial length or they could delve into the archives for something completely different.

'It really is up to them and it could mean that the Championship Section contenders have Centre Stage to themselves, but I await to see what reaction the bands give".

Stan also highlighted the amount of discussion that is had about the suitability of test piece selections and this applies to Fourth Section where the former Grimethorpe flugel man said " So often we have the debate about letting Fourth Section bands play an Own Choice work at the Regionals or a National Final. The Festival wants to see what the bands think and they will tell us, if it's a right or wrong decision or not".

Whilst admitting numbers were down in the Championship and Fourth Sections this year, Stan reinforced the point that the number of 'heads on beds' is up which means Butlins is attracting an audience to come and listen for the weekend.

Stan also told 4BR that he wants the weekend to have its own identity and unique approach: 'We are now asking bands especially in the top section to play an own choice work followed by the entertainment segment on the Sunday.

The Europeans, and other European contests have a Set Test and an Own Choice competition, but we want this to be a weekend where people come to Butlins, and still enjoy the surroundings and the music and along with enjoying something a little different", before adding... 'If you win the Championship Section at Butlins, the band has earned its rewards by putting in the work".

Arnold's Fantasy

The First Section bands will be faced with Sir Malcolm Arnold's classic work 'Fantasy for Brass Band' with the Second Section set to perform Paul Sharmann's 'Inclusion'. Philip Wilby's 'The Lion and the Rose' will be the set work for Section Three bands.

Test selections

Championship Section: Own Choice and Entertainment
First Section: Fantasy for Brass Band (Sir Malcolm Arnold)
Second Section: Inclusion (Paul Sharman)
Third Section:The Lion and the Rose (Philip Wilby)
Fourth Section: Own Choice

Butlins have taken the proactive and forward thinking step in letting the Championship & Fourth Section bands decide what piece they want to play ~4BR

2017 contest date

Butlins will take place next year between Friday 13th-Monday 16th January.