There has been an encouraging response in entry numbers for the British Open Solo & Quartet Championships which will take place as part of the forthcoming Butlins Mineworkers Festival in Skegness.

Blue Riband

The Blue Riband Senior Solo Championship for air-varie and florid solos will see 16 players take to the Royal Arthur Suite stage on Sunday afternoon (13th January) in search of the prestigious title and £500 first prize.

Adjudicators Peter Roberts (a past winner of the event) and Richard Marshall (a former Junior Champion) will have the enjoyable task of picking the winner, with the competition attracting players from leading top flight bands such as Brighouse & Rastrick, Carlton Main Frickley, Hepworth, Leyland and Tredegar, as well as bands from other sections and Europe.

The draw for the event will be made on Friday evening following the completion of the Intermediate Slow Melody Championship, whilst the performers will have the opportunity to rehearse with the accompanist on Sunday morning at 9.00am. The contest starts at 2.00pm.

Intermediate title

10 players will compete for the Intermediate Slow Melody Championship, which will take place at 6.30pm on Friday evening (11th January) at the Royal Arthur Suite. The unaccompanied soloists will battle for a £300 first prize.

Despite a lack of entrants in the original Junior Slow Melody and Junior Quartet events, four bands will compete for the Senior Quartet Championship and £500 top prize.

The Blue Riband Senior Solo Championship for air-varie and florid solos will see 16 players take to the Royal Arthur Suite stage on Sunday afternoon (13th January) in search of the prestigious title and £500 first prize4BR

British Open Senior Solo Championship:

Sunday 13th January
Royal Arthur Suite
Commences: 2.00pm
Adjudicators: Peter Roberts & Richard Marshall
Accompanist: Barry Whitfield

Sarah Billard (EEb tuba) Hepworth
George Bruce (euphonium): Milton Keynes
Joanna Cambray Young (baritone): Carlton Main Frickley
Ross Dunne (horn): Tredegar
Debbie Fry (cornet): Eccles Borough
Martin Groves (soprano): Milton Keynes
Sarah Lenton (baritone): Leyland
Stephen Lomas (bass trombone): Brighouse & Rastrick
Jack Lythaby (horn): Tredegar
Tom Molyneux (cornet): Blackley
Tim Mossad (trombone): Newstead
Abigail Patterson (cornet): Youth Brass 2000
George Pickwell (horn): Skegness
Martin Smith (euphonium): Horsham
Paul Stevenson (BBb tuba): Knottingley
Jef Vermerien (cornet): Brass Band Heist

British Open Intermediate Slow Melody Championship:

Friday 11th January
Royal Arthur Suite
Draw: 6.00pm
Commence: 6.30pm
Adjudicators: Peter Roberts & Richard Marshall

Thomas Bishop (horn): Lions Youth Band
Edward Culpin (baritone): Leicestershire Co-op
Ainslee Farrar (cornet): Youth Brass 2000
Daniel Garland (trombone): Shirland Welfare
Joseph Heartfield (trombone): Rothwell Temperance
Max Johnson (euphonium): Whitworth Vale & Healey
Corey Kohut (cornet): Blidworth Colliery
Luke Newborough (horn): Shirland Welfare
Natalie Poulter (cornet): Shirland Welfare
Adam Warburton (trombone): Wardle Academy

British Open Senior Quartet Championship:

Sunday 13th January
Royal Arthur Suite
(following Senior Solo Championship)

Carlton Cavaliers
Femmes of Frickley
Milton Keynes Brass
Sandhurst Silver