Entries are now being sought for the 2018 Brass at the Guild Championships, which also incorporate the British Open Youth contest.

Supported by R. Banks & Son (Funerals Ltd) through its proprietor and life-long brass band supporter Brian Halliwell, it is regarded as one of the most important early season events in the UK brass band calendar.

Closing date

The five senior sections as well as the exciting British Open Youth Championship will take place at Preston's Guild Hall on Sunday 28th January. The closing date for both events is 2nd January 2018.

Competing bands in the senior sections will once again be given the choice of which set-work they wish to play — with the opportunity to showcase either those chosen for the 2018 Butlins Mineworkers Championships or Regional Championships.

A spokesperson for event organiser Lancashire Contests told 4BR: "The ethos of Brass at the Guild is to help promote and encourage competition by giving both senior and youth bands the opportunity to showcase pieces they have already, or are currently working on."

Spring Festival invitation

As a further competitive incentive, the appropriate highest placed band in the Championship Section will gain an invitation to compete at the 2018 Senior Trophy at the British Open Spring Festival in Blackpool."

With its generous prize fund (podium awards of £400, £200 and £150 in all sections), and excellent facilities, the event continues to attract a fine line up of competitors.

Those who wish to take part must advise the contest administrator by the entry closing date their choice of work.

British Open Youth Championship

One of the most popular attractions of the day is the hosting of the British Open Youth Championship, which will take place in the Charter Theatre.

The spokesperson for Lancashire Contests added: "We are once again delighted that the prestigious British Open title is on offer through the kind permission of Karyn and Martin Mortimer."

The format of the youth competition is a 20-minute own-choice entertainment programme.

The ethos of Brass at the Guild is to help promote and encourage competition by giving both senior and youth bands the opportunity to showcase pieces they have already, or are currently working onLancashire Contests

Test Pieces

Championship Section:

Odyssey (Kevin Norbury) or Contest Music (Wilfred Heaton), The Year of the Dragon (Philip Sparke), Concerto No 1 for Brass Band (Marcus Venables)

First Section:

Brass Metamorphosis (James Curnow) or Renaissance (Peter Graham)

Second Section:

Ex Terra Lucem (Jonathan Bates) or Variations for Brass Band (Ralph Vaughan Williams)

Third Section:

Napoleon on the Alps (Philip Harper) or Overture to Henry V (Ralph Vaughan Williams).

Fourth Section:

World Tour (Rodney Newton) or Second Suite in F (Gustav Holst)

British Open Youth Championship:

A 20-minute own choice programme

Further information:

Schedules and entry forms can be down loaded from www.lancashirecontests.com

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