The organisers have released the list of competing bands and their conductors who will battle it out later this year for the title of 158th British Open Champions.

Broad Shoulders

This year 17 bands will compete at Symphony Hall in Birmingham on 4th September, where Cory will try to retain the title they won last year. This year’s set work is 'On the Shoulders of Giants' by Peter Graham.

Great deal of interest

Although a great deal of interest on the day will centre on whether Cory can retain the title under the baton of Dr Robert Childs, there are a number of intriguing partnerships that could well deny the Welsh band.

33 in 33

Russell Gray will continue to lead the newly crowned English National Champion, Fairey (Geneva), whilst north west rivals Foden’s will be fronted by Howard Snell, who makes his first return to the British Open since 2001 in a bid to win the contest at his 33rd attempt – 33 years after his debut in 1977.

In form

The Grand Shield qualification of the in form Tredegar and Tongwynlais Temperance means that Ian Porthouse and Nigel Seaman will front their challenges respectively.

Ian led Hepworth (Cookson Homes) into 11th place last year, so the Yorkshire band has gone with experience of Brian Grant, making his first appearance back at the contest since 2004, whilst Philip Harper, who led Tongwynlais to the British Open for the first time in their history at Blackpool, will be fronting Leyland.

Desperate battle

The desperate battle to avoid a drop through the relegation trap door has seen the under threat Whitburn, who came 17th last year, opt for the experience of Frank Renton to lead them out of potential trouble.

Meanwhile, other bands who may well be looking over their 'shoulders' knowing that despite good 2010 contesting form they cannot take anything for granted, will be Carlton Main (16th last year), Rothwell Temperance (15th) and Virtuosi GUS (14th) – all three of whom will be directed by experienced MDs in Philip McCann, David Roberts and John Berryman.

We are all excited by the prospect of Martin taking the band. We have been great admirers of his conducting work in Norway for some time, so we were delighted when he accepted our invitation to take Desford at the British OpenPeter Smith, Desford

Aussie trip

Michael Fowles will continue to lead All England Masters champion Co-operative Funeralcare, whilst fellow Scots, Kirkintilloch have opted to team up once more with Steve Bastable, who will be making the long trip from Australia to lead the band.

Grimethorpe will be led by Allan Withington as the Anglo/Norwegian MD looks to win his first British Open title, whilst Professor David King will be looking for his fifth with Brighouse & Rastrick, and Dr Nicholas Childs, his third with Black Dyke.

Real intrigue

The one really intriguing combination however will see Martin Winter make his British Open conducting debut with Desford, who he once led with distinction as principal cornet.

Band Manager Pete Smith told 4BR: "We are all excited by the prospect of Martin taking the band. We have been great admirers of his conducting work in Norway for some time, so we were delighted when he accepted our invitation to take Desford at the British Open."

Competing bands:

1. Black Dyke (Dr Nicholas Childs)
2. Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof. David King)
3. Carlton Main Frickley (Philip McCann)
4. Co-operative Funeralcare (Michael Fowles)
5. Cory (Dr Robert Childs)
6. Desford Colliery (Martin Winter)
7. Fairey (Geneva) (Russell Gray)
8. Foden’s (Howard Snell)
9. Grimethorpe Colliery (Allan Withington)
10. Hepworth (Cookson Homes) (Brian Grant)
11. Kirkintilloch (Steve Bastable)
12. Leyland (Philip Harper)
13. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts)
14. Tongwynlais Temperance (Nigel Seaman)
15. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)
16. Virtuosi GUS (John Berryman)
17. Whitburn (Frank Renton)