Sixteen bands will compete at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Sunday 12th February in two sections in a bid to be to be crowned the 2017 Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Champions of Great Britain.

Looking ahead

With the eyes on the future, following its successful launch last year, a Junior Brass Band Festival will take place in the Arena starting at 10.30am. There are seven ensembles competing each performing around twelve minutes of music and Dave Collins (music) and Alex Bray (entertainment) will oversee proceedings.

The results ceremony will take place at the end of the competition.

Defending champion returns

Youth Brass 2000 led by Chris Jeans (pictured above) will return to Blackpool to defend their title in the senior competition whilst the 2015 & 2014 winners, Seindorf Beaumaris Youth will also be in attendance.

A day at the Opera

This year's event is its 33rd year with the senior event remaining in The Opera House, the home for the North West Regional Championship Section and the Spring Festival's, Grand Shield. The competition will start at 11.10am.

Experienced judging duo

The judges for the competition will be the experienced duo of Paul Norley and John doyle.. Paul will judge the music element whilst John will focus on the entertainment. Following last years experiment in having both judges sat in the open, Paul & john will be doing the same this year.

Pre-draws and lunch break

The organiser of the contest, Gary Walczak has informed 4BR that once again, the first three bands have been pre-drawn and notified to aid travelling to Blackpool whilst their will be a lunch break after band four has played.

Speaking with 4BR Gary was delighted not to just have sixteen bands competing at the contest but looking forward to what promises to be another great year:

"This dynamic event attracts the Country's leading Youth bands. Each band presents a feast of music, choreography, costume design, dedication and of course some excellent musicianship.

We are absolutely thrilled that following last years Junior competition, more bands have expressed interest in competing and it will be just as much fun in The Arena".

Pre-results entertainment

Prior to announcing the results and which band will receive an invitation to perform at Brass in Concert in November, the talented brass players from A4 Quartet will perform a short concert.

Not only will defending champion, Youth Brass 2000 return in pursuit of victory, but the contest sees an increase in numbers participating in the Junior ensemble competition ~ 4BR

The competing bands:

Elland Silver Youth Band (Sam Harrison)
Enderby Youth Band (Trevor Hounsome)
Houghton Area Youth Band (Brian Adams)
Lions Youth Band (Nigel Birch)
Macclesfield Youth Band (Louise Renshaw)
Rochdale Youth Band (Ben Dixon)
Seindorf Beaumaris Youth Band (Gwyn Evans)
Wardle Academy Youth (Lee Rigg)
Youth Brass 200 (Chris Jeans)

Junior Brass Band Entertainment Festival of Great Britain

The Arena
Commences: 10.30am

Kearsley Youth Brass Band (Mark Harrison)
Over Wyre Brass (John Squires-Evans)
Red Admiral Music Academy (Danny Brookes)
St Kentigern's Primary School (Brent Warren)
Wardle Academy Beginners (Gwen Smith)
Wigan Youth Zone Brass Band (John Don-Duncan)

Tickets

4BR has been advised that the Winter Gardens Box Office does not have the capacity to take credit/debit card transactions currently, just cash.

Adults £10.00, Concessions £8.00, Children £5.00.
Family ticket £30.00 for up to two adults and three children.