Brass Bands England (BBE) has announced details of the 2016 National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, to be held at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in Manchester on Sunday 17th April.

There is a very healthy number of 39 ensembles taking part — divided into the Championship Section (7 bands), Intermediate Section (12), Junior Section (12) and Beginner Section (8), with proceedings starting at 9.00am.

Test pieces

The event's Music Panel has selected test-pieces from emerging composers for the top two sections. Jonathan Bates' 'The Mansions of Glory' is the Championship set-work, with the Intermediate Section performing Ryan Howells' 'Funk Engine', specially commissioned for the contest by Brass Bands England.

Bands competing in the Junior and Beginner Sections will be required to play 15-minute programmes of their own choice, which, in the Junior Section, must include at least one piece which has been composed for brass band and two verses of a hymn tune from the famous 'Red Hymn Book'.

Judges

The adjudication panel comprises a blend of youth and experience with David Thornton, Brett Baker and Katrina Marzella joined by Paul Duffy, Mark Wilkinson and Steve Pritchard-Jones.

Vision

BBE Chairman Mike Kilroy told 4BR: "Our vision is to develop the Championships to the extent where it becomes an annual showcase of young talent.

The emphasis is on youth players, but we want to make the experience for parents, grandparents, volunteers, traders and everyone else a wonderful event which will enthuse and invigorate. We want everyone to think that the contest is there for them."

Encouraging

Mike added: "We have got to keep encouraging youth and give them the best possible platform to develop their involvement in the brass band scene. We have deliberately chosen test-pieces for the top two sections written by young talents and have selected a panel of inspirational adjudicators.

We have also encouraged collaboration with members of the fantastic UniBrass Championship so that the volunteers involved on the day are from the younger generation."

We have deliberately chosen test-pieces for the top two sections written by young talents and have selected a panel of inspirational adjudicatorsBBE Chairman Mike Kilroy

Always listening

Mike concluded: We are always listening, and will be conducting a survey of audience members to get their reaction on the venue, catering and presentation amongst other things, with the goal of year-on-year improvement.

We have a terrific relationship with the RNCM who are enthused by our approach to maximising the potential of the contest. After all, if the event can encourage and invigorate the young players involved, many of them may end up at the college as they develop their musical careers."

Further information,/b>

Further information on the contest can be found at www.brassbandsengland.co.uk or by calling the National Office of Brass Bands England on 01226 771015.