Tameside Council, with its long established brass band tradition, is once again pledging its support to sponsoring a series of top contests throughout 2008.

Tameside Open

The first of these, the Tameside Open Brass Band Championships, will be held on Sunday 30th March at Tameside Hippodrome, Oldham Road, Ashton-under-Lyne. The Championships are set to attract approximately 30 bands from around the country including local bands; Ashton-under-Lyne, Mossley, Carrbrook, Denton and St. John’s Mossley.

The first of these, the Tameside Open Brass Band Championships, will be held on Sunday 30th March at Tameside Hippodrome, Oldham Road, Ashton-under-Lyneorganisers

Contest details

Each band will compete in one of four sections for total prize money of £5,200 and will play their own choice piece.

The first band, competing in the fourth section, will commence play at 9.30 a.m. with music continuing throughout the day until early evening.

This year’s two adjudicators have now been announced as Barry Thompson and Kevin Wadsworth.

Tickets for the championships will be on sale on the door, priced at £4 for adults and £3 for concessions.

Further Contests

Tameside will be staging two further contests later in the year; the British Open Solo & Quartet Championships on Sunday 2nd November and the Tameside Youth Brass Festival on Sunday 23rd November.

Bands can download a copy of the Rules and an entry form on 4BR or contact the Contest Organiser, Frank Hodges on 01942 703217.