Twelve bands will compete at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Sunday 14th February in two sections in a bid to be to be crowned the 2016 Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Champions of Great Britain.

Looking ahead

With a view to the future, for the first time a Junior Brass Band Festival will take place in the Arena starting at 10.30am. There are three ensembles competing each performing around twelve minutes of music and David Horsfield (music) and Marianne Garbutt (entertainment) will oversee proceedings.

The results ceremony will take place at the end of the competition around 12 noon.

Defending champion returns

Elland Silver Youth led by Samantha Harrison (pictured above) will return to Blackpool to defend their title in the senior competition whilst the newly-crowned Butlins winners Wardle Junior Academy and Youth Brass 2000 will also be in attendance.

A day at the Opera

This year's event is its 32nd year with the senior event remaining in The Opera House, the home for the North West Regional Championship Section and the Spring Festival's, Grand Shield. The competition will start at 11.30am.

Experienced judging duo

The judges for the competition will be the experienced duo of Mareika Gray and Paul Duffy. Mareika will judge the music element whilst Paul will focus on the entertainment.

Pre-draws and lunch break

The organiser of the contest, Gary Walczak has informed 4BR that once again, the first three bands have been pre-drawn and notified to aid travelling to Blackpool whilst their will be a lunch break after band four has competed,

Speaking with 4BR Gary was delighted not to just have nine bands competing at the contest but looking forward to what promises to be another great year:

"This dynamic event attracts the Country's leading Youth bands. Each band presents a feast of music, choreography, costume design, dedication and of course some excellent musicianship.

We are also looking forward to the Junior competition and seeing some great entertainment from the youngsters".

Pre-results entertainment

Prior to announcing the results and which band will receive an invitation to perform at Brass in Concert in November, Brett Baker will lead the University of Salford band in a short concert.

Not only will defending champion, Elland Silver Youth return in pursuit of victory, but the contest will see a new Junior ensemble victorious in a new competition 4BR

The competing bands:

Egglescliffe School Brass Band (Matthew Haworth)
Elland Silver Youth (Samantha Harrison)
Enderby Youth (Trevor Hounsome)
Houghton Area Youth (Brian Adams)
Lions Youth (Nigel Birch)
Macclesfield Youth (Louise Renshaw)
Rochdale Borough Youth (Ben Dixon)
Wardle Academy Junior (Gwen Smith)
Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans)

Junior Brass Band Entertainment Festival of Great Britain

Blackpool Brass Junior Band (Wayne Filer)
Kearsley Youth Brass Band (Mark Harrison)
Wigan Youth Zone Brass Band (John Don-Duncan)

Tickets

Adults £10.00, Concessions £8.00, Children £5.00.
Family ticket £30.00 for up to two adults and three children and includes a complimentary programme.