The adjudication panels for this year's finals of the National Championships of Great Britain have been released.
London trio
The diverse trio of judges responsible for choosing the winner at the Royal Albert Hall on 'Journey of the Lone Wolf' on October 8th will be Phillip McCann, Allan Withington and Luc Vertommen.
It will be the first time that former Carlton Main Frickley Colliery MD Phillip McCann will be in the box at London, although he has previously adjudicated at the National Finals held at Harrogate as well as internationally — most recently at the Swiss Championships in 2015 and European Championships in 2013.
Allan Withington meanwhile has notched up no less than seven National titles at the Royal Albert Hall as a conductor — the last in 2012, whilst the vastly experienced Belgian conductor Luc Vertommen last judged at the contest in 2011.
Highest calibre
Philip Morris, Managing Director, Kapitol Promotions, told 4BR: "As in previous years, the panel reflects our desire to appoint musicians of the highest calibre to adjudicate at the most prestigious brass band competition in the world.
Phillip, Allan and Luc are amongst the most well-known and experienced players and conductors in the brass band movement, and we are privileged to have them adjudicate at the Albert Hall this year."
The diverse trio of judges responsible for choosing the winner at the Royal Albert Hall on 'Journey of the Lone Wolf' on October 8th will be Phillip McCann, Allan Withington and Luc Vertommen4BR
Cheltenham
Meanwhile, the Cheltenham Finals weekend on the 17th/18th September will also see a mix of youth and experience, with John Maines and Alan Morrison taking on the adjudication responsibilities in the First Section.
Well known Scottish composer Alan Fernie and tuba virtuoso Steve Sykes will be the men to impress in the Second Section, whilst two star performers in David Childs and Richard Marshall will decide the fates of the bands in the Third Section. The Fourth Section rivals will have to catch the ears of Dr Robert Childs and Gary Davies, the MD of double National Champion Tylorstown Band.
Adjudication Panels:
Championship Section: Phillip McCann, Allan Withington, Luc Vertommen
First Section: John Maines, Alan Morrison
Second Section: Alan Fernie, Steve Sykes
Third Section: David Childs, Richard Marshall
Fourth Section: Dr Robert Childs, Gary Davies
More information: