Places are still available for bands to enter Pontin’s 35th Anniversary of brass band contesting, which will be held at their Prestatyn Holiday venue between Friday 24th October to Monday 27th October.

Increased prize fund

With an increase of the prize fund in all the lower sections and a return to its preferred date at the end of October, the organisers are hoping for a bumper entry list from bands.

Special

A spokesperson told 4BR: "With over £30,000 in prizes, trophies, travel allowance for resident bands, complete refunds offer in entry fees, and free admission to the Centre for non-resident bands, the 35th Pontins Brass Band Festival promises to be another special competitive music making and social occasion."

...the 35th Pontins Brass Band Festival promises to be another special competitive music making and social occasionPontins

Limited places

There are currently only one or two places available in the Harry and Margaret Mortimer Championships and First Sections and bands are advised to enter as soon as possible.

Harry and Margaret Mortimer Championship
Sunday 26th October
Test piece: Cloudcatcher Fells — John McCabe
Adjudicators: David Read & Derek Broadbent

First Prize: £2,500
Second Prize: £1,300
Third Prize: £700
Fourth Prize: £450
Special Award to youngest player, plus Soloist Award

First Section:
Saturday 25th October
Test piece: Sinfonietta ’The Wayfarer’ — Eric Ball
Adjudicators: Malcolm Brownbill & Colin Hardy

First Prize: £1,800
Second Prize: £1,000
Third Prize: £700
Fourth Prize: £450
Special Award to the youngest player

Second Section:
Sunday 26th October
Test piece: A Royal Mile Suite — Alan Fernie
Adjudicators: Malcolm Brownbill & Colin Hardy

First Prize: £1,800
Second Prize: £1,000
Third Prize: £700
Fourth Prize: £450
Special Award to the youngest player

Third Section:
Saturday 25th October
Test piece: Sinfonietta — Joseph Horovitz
Adjudicators: Phillip Harper & Roy Sparkes

First Prize: £1,800
Second Prize: £1,000
Third Prize: £700
Fourth Prize: £450
Special Award to youngst player

Fourth Section:
Saturday 25th October
Test piece: An Elgar Portrait — Dan Price
Adjudicators: David Read & Derek Broadbent

First Prize: £1,800
Second Prize: £1,000
Third Prize: £700
Fourth Prize: £450
Special Award to the youngest player

Fourth Section work

An Elgar Portrait Suite for Brass Band by Dan Price was written to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Edward Elgar and was chosen for the 2007 Swiss National Brass Band Championships Section 4.

The work was a finalist at the Kirklees Music/Salford University Composition Award May 2007.

The suite is in three movements: Introduction, Elegy and March, each of which have been inspired by three of Elgar’s most celebrated works; Chanson de Matin, Nimrod (Variation IX from the Enigma Variations) and Pomp and Circumstance No.1.

Introduction – Hollybush Hill

Hollybush Hill is the name of one of the peaks of the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire. The Malverns were a favourite walking area for Elgar and his wife and their panoramic views inspired much of Elgar’s music.

Elegy – Broadheath

Broadheath is the small village at the foot of the Malvern Hills where Elgar was born (and lived at various times throughout his life). Elgar is buried not far from Broadheath at St Wulstan’s in Little Malvern

March – Worcester Cathedral

Many of the Worcestershire ensembles and music festivals played an important role in Elgar’s early musical education. He was heavily involved in The Three Choirs Festival and either conducted or played in many of the light orchestras and vocal groups that performed at venues across Worcester. A statue of Elgar overlooks the Cathedral at the end of Worcester High Street.

Entry Forms

Entry Forms and Accommodation Details will be available from the Pontin’s Website www.pontins-prestatynsands.com

The Pontin’s Brass Band Committee always invites suggestions for any improvements to the Festival, from anyone with the Brass Band movement interest at heart.

Rules
As a result of this consultation, changes such as borrowed players, registry information system, pre-draw, and variation on the grading system have all been adopted in order to enhance the Festival.

The Contest Rules are published on both the Pontin’s and British Brass Band Registry Websites.

Further constructive suggestions are welcome and will always be considered. We would encourage anyone to contact the Contest Controllers Frank Hodges or Colin Morrison.

Feature

A feature of this event is the Shopping Street for Brass Band Traders situated at the rear of one of the Contest Venues and through which all bands pass during the weekend.

More information

More information is available from either of The Festival Contest Controllers:

Mr Colin Morrison , 22 Rushdon Close , Grays , Essex, RM17 5QW
Telephone/Fax Number (01375) 409807, E-mail — cm006c6149@blueyonder.co.uk

Mr Frank Hodges, 39 Broxton Avenue, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 8NP
Telephone: 01942 703217 Mobile: 07930 562 768
E-mail — frankhodges@bbbr.co.uk