The committee heading up the US Open Brass Band Championships has announced that beginning this year, the contest will be held at the Norris Cultural Arts Center in St. Charles, Illinois, although thedate of Saturday, November 8th remains the same.

We are confident that the 1,000 seat, acoustically superb Norris Cultural Arts Center is just what we’ve been looking forClark Niermeyer

World class venue

President Clark Niermeyer told 4BR: "As the contest has grown in both size and stature, we have continued to seek a world class performance venue in the Chicago area. We are confident that the 1,000 seat, acoustically superb Norris Cultural Arts Center is just what we’ve been looking for."

Clark added: "In addition to the art gallery in the lobby, the warm-up areas, check rooms, vendors display areas and food service is all perfectly laid out to provide both the audience and the performers a great banding experience."

Several bands on board

Several bands are already on board for the November event, with room for just one or two more applications.

Hotel and banquet information will be available soon on the website at www.usopenbrass.org

A complete lineup of bands and judges will be announced later this spring.