The five test pieces that will test the bands at this years 35th Pontins Brass Band Festival have been announced.

Impressive mix

The five test pieces chosen by the Music Advisor to Pontins, James Scott are a mix of the tried and tested and modern works. Leading the way in the Championship Section is John McCabe's 1985 National Championship test piece, commissioned for the contest, Cloudcatcher Fells that has since been used at The British Open in 1992. In addition to being used as an Own Choice test piece, McCabe's work was used in the Elite Division at the Norwegian Nationals in 2007.

Wayfarer returns

The First Section bands competing in the Fun Factory Ballroom on Saturday 25th October will be faced with Eric Ball's Sinfonietta: The Wayfarer which featured as the Regional test for the same section in 2007.

Fernie's Royal Mile

On the Sunday morning, having had an extra hour's sleep, the Second Section bands will come face-to-face with Alan Fernie's atmospheric A Royal Mile Suite whilst the Third Section will tackle one of Joseph Horovitz's first compositions for brass band: Sinfonietta is in three movements, Allegro, Lento moderato and Con brio.

New work for 4th Section

Saturday in the Lunars Bar will see a work from Dan Price, a finalist at the Kirklees Music/Salford University Composition Award in May 2007.

This new work was written to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Edward Elgar,and was chosen for the 2007 Swiss National Brass Band Championships Section 4

35 years celebrated

Pontins not only celebrates 35 years in 2008 but reverts back to its traditional last weekend in October with an impressive mix of test pieces4BR

Pontins will celebrate 35 years Brass Band Contesting with an increase of the prize fund in all the lower sections and a return to its preferred date at the end of October following two years with different dates, which seem to have caused a few problems for the competing bands.

With over £35,000 in Prizes, Trophies, Travel Allowances and part entry fee refunds for resident bands, group accommodation discounts and free access to the Centre for non resident bands, the 2008 Pontins Brass Band Festival promises to be another special competitive music making and social experience.

All the Test Pieces are chosen by James Scott and the prize presentations are as follows:-

The Harry and Margaret Mortimer Championship Section

Sunday 26th October 2008
Cloudcatcher Fells, John McCabe, Published by Novello

First Prize: £2,500 + Commemorative Cup
Second Prize:£1,300 + Commemorative Cup
Third Prize: £700 + Commemorative Cup
Fourth Prize:£450 + Commemorative Cup

Special Award to the Youngest Player in the Section
Best Soloist: The Arthur Bedwell Memorial Trophy

First Section

Saturday 25th October 2008
Sinfonietta: The Wayfarer, Eric Ball, Published by Boosey and Hawkes
First Prize: £1,800 + Commemorative Cup
Second Prize:£1,000 + Commemorative Cup
Third Prize: £700 + Commemorative Cup
Fourth Prize: £450 + Commemorative Cup

Special Award to the Youngest Person in the Section

Second Section

Sunday 26th October 200
A Royal Mile Suite, Alan Fernie, Published by Kirklees Music

First Prize: £1,800 + Commemorative Cup
Second Prize:£1,000 + Commemorative Cup
Third Prize: £700 + Commemorative Cup
Fourth Prize: £450 + Commemorative Cup

Special Award to the Youngest Person in the Section

Third Section

Saturday 25th October 2008
Sinfonietta, Joseph Horovitz, Published by Novello

First Prize: £1,800 + Commemorative Cup
Second Prize:£1,000 + Commemorative Cup
Third Prize: £700 + Commemorative Cup
Fourth Prize: £450 + Commemorative Cup

Special Award to the Youngest Person in the Section.

Fourth Section

Saturday 25th October 2008
An Elgar Portrait Suite, Dan Price, Published by Kirklees Music

First Prize: £1,800 + Commemorative Cup
Second Prize:£1,000 + Commemorative Cup
Third Prize: £700 + Commemorative Cup
Fourth Prize: £450 + Commemorative Cup

Special Award to the Youngest Person in the Section.

An Elgar Portrait: the background

This new work was written to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Edward Elgar,and was chosen for the 2007 Swiss National Brass Band Championships Section 4

The work by Dan Price was a finalist at the Kirklees Music/Salford University Composition Award May 2007

The suite is in three movements; Introduction, Elegy and March, each of which have been inspired by three of Elgar’s most celebrated works; Chanson de Matin, Nimrod (Variation IX from the Enigma Variations) and Pomp and Circumstance No.1.

Introduction – Hollybush Hill

Hollybush Hill is the name of one of the peaks of the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire. The Malverns were a favourite walking area for Elgar and his wife and their panoramic views inspired much of Elgar’s music.

Elegy – Broadheath

Broadheath is the small village at the foot of the Malvern Hills where Elgar was born (and lived at various times throughout his life). Elgar is buried not far from Broadheath at St Wulstan’s in Little Malvern

March – Worcester Cathedral

Many of the Worcestershire ensembles and music festivals played an important role in Elgar’s early musical education. He was heavily involved in The Three Choirs Festival and either conducted or played in many of the light orchestras and vocal groups that performed at venues across Worcester. A statue of Elgar overlooks the Cathedral at the end of Worcester High Street.

Priority Entry

As in previous years all the bands who entered in 2007 and those on the waiting lists will receive priority entry forms and accommodation booking forms.

Bands should receive these by the end of February and will be given priority until the beginning of April.

Entry Forms and Accommodation booking forms will be available from the Pontin’s website: www.pontins-prestatynsands.com

Suggestions welcome

The Pontins Brass Band Committee always invites suggestions for improvements to the Festival, from anyone with the Brass Band movement interest at heart.

As a result of such consultations, changes such as borrowed players,registry information system, pre-draw, and variation on the grading system have all been adopted in order to enhance the Festival.

The Contest Rules are published on both the Pontin’s and British Brass Band Registry websites:
www.pontins-prestatynsands.com or www.bbbr.co.uk

Further constructive suggestions are welcome and will always be considered. We would encourage anyone to contact the Contest Controllers Frank Hodges or Colin Morrison.

Shop with the Traders

A feature of this event is the Shopping Street concept for Brass Band Traders situated at the rear of one of the Contest Venues and through which all bands pass during the day. The traders exhibitions are an essential part of any Brass Band Festival.

The facility is available to traders at a cost of £299 inclusive of VAT for trade space, accommodation for the weekend for 2 persons and a half page advert in the Festival programme. For further information on this please contact Darrio — darrio.touhladjiev@pontins.com

Further details

For any further information please contact either of the Festival Contest Controllers:

Mr Colin Morrison , 22 Rushdon Close , Grays , Essex, RM17 5QW
Telephone/Fax Number (01375) 409807, E-mail — cm006c6149@blueyonder.co.uk

Mr Frank Hodges, 39 Broxton Avenue, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 8NP
Telephone: 01942 703217 Mobile: 07930 562 768
E-mail — frankhodges@bbbr.co.uk