The 2018 Brass at the Guild Championships, which also incorporate the British Open Youth contest has already gained a healthy entry of competing bands, with the opportunity still available to register for the event.

Supported by R. Banks & Son (Funerals Ltd) through its proprietor Brian Halliwell, it is regarded as one of the most important early season events in the UK brass band calendar.

Closing date

The five senior sections as well as the exciting British Open Youth Championship will take place at Preston's Guild Hall on Sunday 28th January. The closing date for both events is 2nd January 2018.

Those wishing to compete should contact:

Frank Hodges
39, Broxton Avenue
Orrell
Wigan
WN5 8NP
Tel: 01942 212418
Email: frankhodges@btinternet.com

Competing bands in the senior sections will once again be given the choice of which set-work they wish to play — with the opportunity to showcase either those chosen for the 2018 Butlins Mineworkers Championships or Regional Championships.

Spring Festival invitation

As a further competitive incentive, the appropriate highest placed band in the Championship Section will gain an invitation to compete at the 2018 Senior Trophy at the British Open Spring Festival in Blackpool."

With its generous prize fund (podium awards of £400, £200 and £150 in all sections), and excellent facilities, the event continues to attract a fine line up of competitors.

Those who wish to take part must advise the contest administrator by the entry closing date their choice of work.

British Open Youth Championship

One of the most popular attractions of the day is the hosting of the British Open Youth Championship, which will take place in the Charter Theatre.

The format of the youth competition is a 20-minute own-choice entertainment programme.

the appropriate highest placed band in the Championship Section will gain an invitation to compete at the 2018 Senior Trophy at the British Open Spring Festival in BlackpoolContest organisers

Test Pieces:

Championship Section:

Odyssey (Kevin Norbury) or Contest Music (Wilfred Heaton), The Year of the Dragon (Philip Sparke), Concerto No 1 for Brass Band (Marcus Venables)

First Section:

Brass Metamorphosis (James Curnow) or Renaissance (Peter Graham)

Second Section:

Ex Terra Lucem (Jonathan Bates) or Variations for Brass Band (Ralph Vaughan Williams)

Third Section:

Napoleon on the Alps (Philip Harper) or Overture to Henry V (Ralph Vaughan Williams).

Fourth Section:

World Tour (Rodney Newton) or Second Suite in F (Gustav Holst)
British Open Youth Championship:

A 20-minute own choice programme

Further information:

Schedules and entry forms can be down loaded from www.lancashirecontests.com
Further information on Lancashire Contests can be found at the following link:
www.lancashirecontests.com