The organisers of the 2015 Brass in Concert Festival have announced the line-up of competitors for this year's event, which will take place at Sage Gateshead on the weekend of 14th/15th November.

11 leading bands

The 39th Championship contest on the Sunday will feature 11 leading UK based bands, with defending champion Grimethorpe Colliery against Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Cory, Fairey, Flowers, Leyland, Reg Vardy, Rothwell Temperance, Tredegar Town, Virtuosi GUS and Woodfalls.

High profile engagement

4BR understands that both Grimethorpe and Cory have been given dispensation to be drawn in the second half of the contest because of time and travel issues surrounding what the contest organisers describe as a 'high profile engagement' they are appearing in at the Royal Albert Hall the previous evening.

Benefit of brass bands

All competing bands have been informed that in line with the contest's mission statement of 'attracting the finest bands in the world to the Championship', they have 'decided that it would be in the best long-term interests of the event, and for brass bands in general, to accommodate these bands on this occasion.'

However, at present, the 'high profile' event does not appear on the Royal Albert Hall booking website, whilst the competitors have not been informed whether the decision will mean that in future, other bands will be given the same dispensation, or, if either Cory or Grimethorpe will be asked to accept an early first half draw if they decide to compete at the event in 2016.

it would be in the best long-term interests of the event, and for brass bands in general, to accommodate these bands on this occasionBrass in Concert organisers

Surprise

As one band spokesperson told 4BR; "This has come as a surprise. We all want Brass in Concert to remain as the premier entertainment contest in the world, but this seems to set a precedent that needs to be fully clarified and explained."