In an exciting transatlantic alliance, the organisers of Brass in Concert and the sponsor of the U.S. Open Championships, have announced a partnership that will see the winner of each invited to compete in the other’s contest, the following year.

Effect

The agreement will take effect this year, beginning with the U.S. Open on 8 November and Brass in Concert on 15 November.

The partnership has been established to help continue the musical growth and programme innovation of bands in both the UK and the United States.

Terrific impact

Commenting on behalf of Brass in Concert, one of its organisers, Paul Beere, said: "The precursor to this exciting new arrangement was the visit of Brass Band of Central Florida to Brass in Concert, in 2006."

Paul added: "With its flair for performance and presentation, it made a terrific impact on the UK audience and was a tremendous ambassador for the U.S. band scene. We are now delighted to build on those links with this formal arrangement, which we hope will provide added interest and incentive to each respective event."

We are very pleased to be able to join with Brass in Concert in this venture and I’m sure that the winner of this year’s U.S. Open will be excited to have the opportunity to compete at The Sage Gateshead next yearClark Niermeyer

Pleased

Clark Niermeyer, President of the U.S. Open Championships, commented: "We are very pleased to be able to join with Brass in Concert in this venture and I’m sure that the winner of this year’s U.S. Open will be excited to have the opportunity to compete at The Sage Gateshead next year."

Clark added: "Our ‘Open’ has often had English bands competing, but an invitation to the winner of Brass in Concert will not preclude other UK and European bands from registering for the event."

Euro tie up

This announcement follows hard-on-the-heels of a similar partnership between Brass in Concert and the Dutch-based Euro Brass Contest, held each June in Drachten.

Recent performances at the Gateshead event have included Eikanger-Bjørsvik, Oberösterreich and Central Florida bands with Stavanger taking part this year.

Brass in Concert Championship takes place at The Sage Gateshead over the weekend of 15 and 16 November, whilst the U.S. Open Championships will take place in the Norris Center for the Arts, St. Charles, Illinois.