The organisers of the 2020 Butlins Mineworkers Festival are reminding ambitious players and quartet ensembles that the deadline for entries for the prestigious British Open Solo & Quartet Championships of Great Britain is December 12th.

The events form a central part of the Festival to be held at the Butlins Skegness Resort on Sunday January 12th.

Competitions

With its generous prize packages it is hoped that the five competition categories of Senior Solo, Intermediate Slow Melody, Junior Slow Melody, Junior Quartets and Senior Quartets will attract leading performers wishing to claim the prestigious titles.

The Senior Solo Championship is an Air Varie/Florid solo discipline with piano accompaniment and which has a first prize of £500. Butlins will provide a pianist if required. 4BR has been informed that the event has already attracted entries from Antipodean banding as well as Europe.

Ambitious performers

A spokesperson told 4BR: "We hope the contest will attract ambitious performers who wish to showcase their talents. With a £500 first prize this is an award well worth winning both financially and for the prestige of being proclaimed the British Open champion."

There is also a £500 first prize on offer for the winners of the Senior Quartet Championship. Players must be registered members of the same band, although if a trombone quartet wishes to enter, one player can be from another band.

The Intermediate Slow Melody Championship (under the age of 17 at the date of the contest) has a first prize of £300, whilst the Junior Slow Melody Championship (under the age of 12 at the date of the contest) has a £200 first prize.

Both events will see the performers play without piano accompaniment. All competitors in the Junior event will receive certificates.

Entrants for the Junior Quartet Championship (under the age of 17 at the date of the contest) must also be bona fide members of the same band.

We hope that all competitions will attract players of all ages to take part. It will provide a great experience in a friendly atmosphereorganisers

Entry details

The spokesperson added: "We hope that all competitions will attract players of all ages to take part. It will provide a great experience in a friendly atmosphere."

Entry fees are just £10.00 for the solo sections and £20.00 per quartet.

Entry packs and further information and can be obtained via email from Judith Beckett cuckoo1@uwclub.net