222 years of music making in the Swiss canton of Graubunden is to be celebrated with a new brass band entertainment competition.

'Mountain Brass in Concert' will take place on the 20th and 21st June and will help celebrate Musica da Domat, formed in 1803, which is the oldest active music society in the canton, enriching the village life of Domat/Ems.

The village has also supported a brass band which regularly takes part in competitions and continues to set new trends with innovative concert projects.

Festival weekend

The festival weekend will start with a Gala Concert on Friday 20th June dedicated to the history of Musica da Domat. It will feature Liberty Brass Band as well as the street band 'Kirchweih-Kapelle' to help in the celebrations.

Saturday, 21st June will see bands compete in the first 'Mountain Brass in Concert' contest modelled on 'Brass in Concert'.

It will feature six competitors from the top two sections of Swiss banding based on a current ranking list.

35 minute programmes

Each will provide a programme of up to 35 minutes in duration, consisting of a specially written test-piece by Paul Lovatt-Cooper, a solo feature and entertaining repertoire of original works for brass bands.

There will be both prizes given by the international jury, as well as members of the audience.

The event will close with a special performance by 'Brass Department' who will provide hip-hop, funk and pop to the stage in cheeky arrangements.

The competing bands are: Oberaargauer Brass Band; Liberty Brass Band; GR Brass; Brass Band Eglisau; MG Brass Band Risch-Rotkreuz and Universal Brass Band4BR

Competing bands

The competing bands are: Oberaargauer Brass Band; Liberty Brass Band; GR Brass; Brass Band Eglisau; MG Brass Band Risch-Rotkreuz and Universal Brass Band.

The jury for the event will be Paul Lovatt-Cooper, Bert Appermont and Enrico Calzaferri.

Further information:

Further information can be found at: www.mountainbrass.ch