Competing bands at this year's Senior Trophy have been informed that there are changes to the test piece, Percy Fletcher's 'Epic Symphony'.

In a letter to the band secretaries the organisers state:

Letter

"In acknowledging your acceptance into this years Senior Trophy we would advise you of the following decision about percussion in the test piece, made by our music and artistic advisor Bram Gay.

Bands ordering 'An Epic Symphony' from R Smith & Co will find that the original printing was discarded and destroyed following the printing of a new edition in 1996.

This edition, made at the request of the Swiss Championship, contains new timpani and percussion writing by Jean Balissat.

It is important to realise that the writing for the rest of the band is (or should be) identical to the first version, so that bands who already possess that version need not buy the full set. They will need only the score and the new parts for timpani and percussion.

...in the second movement, 'Elegy', while the timpani part should be played the new percussion should be omitted. This decision, made by Mr Gay, is a matter of musical tasteorganisers

Elegy

With regard to this material it is requested by the Open Championship that in the second movement, 'Elegy', while the timpani part should be played the new percussion should be omitted. This decision, made by Mr Gay, is a matter of musical taste.

He trusts that British conductors and bandsmen will agree with him that while the inclusion of the tambourine, the glockenspiel and the triangle may be felt appropriate by bands abroad, they do not fit the mood of this music as we know it. The rest of Mr Balissat's work is, he believes, beneficial to the piece."

In addition 4BR has been informed that at figure 13 the bass drum figure is deemed essential and should be played as should the timpnai throughout.