The organisers of the 2017 Brass at the Guild & 2017 British Open Youth Championship events have reminded bands that the closing date for entries to both competitions is fast approaching.

Closing date

Those wishing to take part have until Monday 2nd January to register their intention for the events which will take place at Preston Guild Hall and the Charter Theatre on Sunday 29th January.

The event is generously supported by R. Banks & Son (Funerals Ltd) through proprietor Brian Halliwell, and organised by Lancashire Contests with additional support from the British Open Championship.

Brass at the Guild is now seen as a major stepping stone to helping bands in their preparation for the contest year, with competing bands given the choice of which set-work they wish to perform; with the opportunity to showcase either those chosen for the 2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championships or the 2017 Regional Championships.

Spring Festival

In addition, the highest placed band in the Championship Section, not already invited to compete at the British Open Spring Festival, will gain an automatic invitation to the Senior Trophy at Blackpool's Winter Gardens in May. The test-piece for that event is Gilbert Vinter's 'Salute to Youth'.

All competitors must inform the contest organisers of their choice in advance of the closing date.

The generous prize fund will see podium finishers take home awards of £400, £200 and £150 respectively if they impress the adjudication team of Ian Brownbill, Michael Fowles, David Hirst and Lynda Nicholson.

Youth Championship

The British Open Youth Championship will take place in the Charter Theatre on the same day. The format is a 20 minute own-choice entertainment programme with open adjudication.

A spokesperson told 4BR: "We are once again delighted that the prestigious British Open title is on offer through the kind permission of Karyn and Martin Mortimer and we look ford to welcoming as many bands as possible to enjoy a fine day of friendly competitive music making."

Brass at the Guild is now seen as a major stepping stone to helping bands in their preparation for the contest year, with Bands given the choice of which set-work they wish to perform — from the 2017 Area or 2017 Butlins Championships4BR

Test Pieces:

Championship Section:

Butlins own-choice work or Pageantry (Herbert Howells)

First Section:

Fantasy for Brass Band (Malcolm Arnold) or Land of the Long White Cloud (Philip Sparke)

Second Section:

Inclusion (Paul Sharman) or Rhapsody in Brass (Dean Goffin)

Third Section:

The Rose (Philip Wilby) or Darkwood (Daniel Price)

Fourth Section:

Butlins own-choice work or St Andrews Variations (Alan Fernie)

British Open Youth at the Guild:

A 20-minute own choice programme

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
Email: frankhodges@btinternet.com

Further information on Lancashire Contests can be found at the following link: www.lancashirecontests.com