The Brass in Concert Championship will include an innovative new entertainment award this year — one that has a direct link to the brass band lovers sat in the main hall of The Sage Gateshead for the contest.

Audience prize

The interactive 'Audience Prize' will enable people to vote via a secure smartphone process for the band that they think has given them the most enjoyment on the contest day.

Brass in Concert Chairman John Woods told 4BR: "This is an event with wide appeal, both to contest regulars and the general public.

While we do not wish to be prescriptive in what the bands present — indeed, freedom of artistic restriction is a central pillar of our mission statement — we do think that it's vital that the audience gets the musical satisfaction that it deserves."

Tangible role

He added: "We are therefore delighted that the Brass in Concert audience will be able to play a tangible role in our event for the very first time.

The Audience Award will see a new trophy, donated by former Brass in Concert Chairman Trevor Caffull, and £1,000 going to the band that they decide gives them most enjoyment on the day."

The Audience Award will see a new trophy, donated by former Brass in Concert Chairman Trevor Caffull, and £1,000 going to the band that they decide gives them most enjoyment on the dayJohn Woods

Phone help!

Full instructions on how to take part, as well as other social media activities and a day-long trivia quiz will be unveiled at Sage Gateshead, while there will be a helpdesk with mobile phone experts on hand to help people through the process!

John concluded: "We are sure that this will become an important addition to the Brass in Concert weekend and we look forward to as many of our audience members as possible getting involved."