The Butlins Mineworkers Festival organisers have announced details of what they have told 4BR will be another spectacular event at the Skegness Resort over the weekend of the 11th-14th January 2019.

Blue Riband

The festival will once again incorporate the increasingly popular Butlins Youth Band Festival, whilst the Blue Riband Championship Section winners will potentially walking away with a first prize of £12,000.

All five senior sections will compete on Saturday 12th January performing a challenging set of test-pieces under the theme 'The Year of the Overture'.

A choice of three works awaits competitors in the Championship Section, with 'Rienzi' (Wagner, arr. H Johns), 'Benvenuto Cellini' (Berlioz, arr. Frank Wright) and 'Carnival' (Dvorak, arr. Geoffrey Brand)

A special £1,000 prize and a trophy will be awarded to the winner of test piece element of the contest, whilst a further £1,000 will be given to the band topping the entertainment element the following day.

That will once again hosted by Frank Renton with the decision made by four adjudicators; two music adjudicators (sat together) giving 50% of the marks and two entertainment adjudicators (sat together) also giving 50% of the marks. The entertainment marks will take precedence in the event of a tie.

Consensus

Festival Director Steve Walker told 4BR: "As we saw last year, the simple marking system ensures that in the opinion of the adjudicators, the best band will win the overall first prize.

Our continued emphasis on the Sunday entertainment content is in response to the general consensus of opinion from our guests with whom we have a constant dialogue.

Competing bands needn't feel that they need to come with all new bespoke programmes: A well played entertaining programme that the audience enjoys is sure to score highly."

He added: "We believe that the Butlins Festival to be a unique event in the banding calendar and remind bands interested in competing in 2019 that all sections are welcome to apply on a first come first served basis."

Section awards

The competitors in the other senior sections will also be faced with challenging works if they are to get their hands on the generous prize awards.

Section winners will claim £2,000, with podium prizes of £1,000, £700 and £500.
The test pieces are as follows:

Test Pieces

First Section: The Force Of Destiny (Verdi, arr. Frank Wright) or 'Le Corsair' (Berlioz, arr. Geoffrey Brand)
Second Section: Academic Festival (Brahms, arr. Denis Wright) or 'The Frogs of Aristophanes' (Bantock, arr. Frank Wright) Third Section: 'Egmont' (Beethoven, arr. Eric Ball) or 'Rule Britannia' (William Rimmer)
Fourth Section: 'Overture to Youth' (Eric Hughes) or 'A Saddleworth Overture' (Goff Richards)

Bands who took part in the 2018 contest should already be in receipt of their entry forms for 2019. Brian Eggleshaw, the Butlins Contest Administrator reminds bands that Butlins is NOT an invitation only event, and bands from all sections wishing to receive an entry pack should contact him immediately via email brian.eggleshaw@gmail.com

Youth Festival

The Butlins Youth Band Festival has a prize fund of £2,300 and will take place on Sunday January 13th.

Applications for the Unregistered and Youth Sections are also invited, with those wishing to enter should apply in writing to the contest administrator:
Brian Eggleshaw,
Butlins Contest Administrator,
27, Dutton Avenue,
SKEGNESS
Lincolnshire
PE25 2HR

Contact: brian.eggleshaw@gmail.com

All five senior sections will compete on Saturday 12th January performing a challenging set of test-pieces under the theme 'The Year of the Overture'4BR

Booking

The Festival has become the traditional opening major championship of the contest season, offering a blend of high class competition and entertainment and facilities.

Guests are advised to book early to enjoy the multi million pound Water World and the Spa in addition to all the entertainment and facilities for which Butlins is so famous.

Currently, this three night break, based on four guests sharing a silver self catering apartment with 15% off the advertised price is just £88 per guest* and includes accommodation, entertainment and parking.

Find out more

To find out more please visit www.butlins.com or to discuss the wide range of accommodation & dining options available, simply call the Butlins Advisors based at Skegness on 0330 100 9334**, lines are open daily from 9.00am to 5.30pm.

Bands and family members will groups of 20 or more paying guests will also enjoy an extra Groups Offer of 5% upon confirmation of booking with deposits or full payment before Friday 26th October 2018*

To find out more and to book your three night break simply call us on 0330 100 9334** and choose option 3 & quote offer 598.