Mix and march for BBE and National Coal Mining Museum

Brass Bands England and the National Coal Mining Museum will link up to provide bands with a chance to mix their march and entertainment skills together.

There is a rich shared history between the mining and brass bands movements

Tuesday, 14 May 2019

Brass Bands England (BBE) is launching a new partnership with the National Coal Mining Museum based in Overton, Wakefield, which aims to celebrate both a shared cultural history as well as highlighting developments made in modern banding.

New contest

4BR has been informed that the organisations will work together to launch a new contest on Sunday 14th July, which will bring a modern twist to the traditional march contest — mixing a road march performance with a 20-minute entertainment programme.

The National Coal Mining Museum site includes two pits — Hope and Caphouse Collieries. The non-public road connecting the two sites will enable bands to perform a march over a distance of approximately 200 meters, lasting no more than six minutes. An adjudicator will be looking for the most entertaining march of the day.

The competitors will enjoy a short break to catch their breath before providing a 20-minute entertainment programme, which will be judged by independent music and entertainment judges.

Friendly atmosphere

A spokesperson said: "The event aims to engender a friendly atmosphere, with plenty of other activities on offer throughout the day. As a result there will be no contest registration, with no limit on the number of players taking part."

4BR was informed that the draw will be made on the day at 10.00am, with the first band set to perform at 11.00am.

The event aims to engender a friendly atmosphere, with plenty of other activities on offer throughout the day. As a result there will be no contest registration, with no limit on the number of players taking partspokesperson

Sign up

There will be lots of awards up for grabs at all levels. Although there are no cash prizes, there will be £50 available to the first six bands to sign up who then play on the day. There will also be a prize voted on by the public.

To sign up to take part in the contest bands must sign up at bbe.org.uk/events before 27th May.

There will be coach parking and warm-up space on site. The full event rules and information can also be found at bbe.org.uk/what-we-do or contact the BBE national office.

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