Samuel Dye, Kyle MacCorquodale, Benjamin Goldscheider and Daniel Thomas will compete in the final of the 2016 BBC Radio Young Brass Award at the RNCM in Manchester tonight.
The talented quartet were announced as finalists on a special programme broadcast on BBC Radio 2 last month, after the judges had made their deliberations from a semi-final field of eight participants.
Young stars
The final will showcase three different instrumentalists: Benjamin Goldscheider plays french horn, and returns to the final for the second successive year, whilst there are two trombonists in Samuel Dye and bass trombonist, Kyle MacCuoquodale.
Black Dyke's euphonium star and RNCM student, Daniel Thomas is the fourth finalist.
Bell, Gregson & Neish
Making the all important decision on who will be crowned 2016 winner will be Professor Edward Gregson, renowned tuba player, Les Neish and the Halle Orchestra conductor, Stephen Bell.
Speaking on BBC Radio 2 on Tuesday evening to Frank Renton, 2012 winner Ross Knight (who has since gone on to play with the Karajan Academy, Orchestra Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra) admitted that the winning moment is very much etched on his memory:
"I still remember it quite clearly. I remember being back stage, being excited and then going out to play Rodney Newston's 'Capriccio' with the RNCM Brass Band. Winning it as well, was just out of this world".
Ross, who was on stunning form in January when he appeared with Tredegar as a soloist at the RNCM Brass Festival also offered some advice to the four finalists: "Just go out, enjoy yourself, perform the best you possibly can. It's such a great experience to play in this competition."
Grimethorpe, The Opera Babes, Frank and Ken
Accompanying all of the four finalists will be Grimethorpe Colliery conducted by Frank Renton, who will be joined on stage by BBC Radio 2's Ken Bruce.
The audience in Manchester will also be able to hear Grimethorpe deliver a concert programme with the Opera Babes, who they toured with in December last year.
In the footsteps
The winner of the award, which is now in its twelfth year, will follow in the footsteps of 2015 champion Grant Jameson (pictured above), Matilda Lloyd, Ben Thomson, Stephen Sykes, Lewis Musson, Matthew White, Josiah Walters as well as it's first two winners, Katrina Marzella and Brendan Wheeler.
To find out who will become the twelfth winner of the illustrious BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award you cam listen live around the globe via the various digital platforms4BR
Hear it live
The final, will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 2 between 8.00pm-10.00pm on 88-91 FM, online, SKY channel 0102 along with other digital providers
