Brass in Concert Championship organisers have released details of two top overseas bands due to participate at this year’s event.

Agreement

As part of an agreement with the organisers of the US Open Championship, their 2008 champions, Fountain City Brass, from Kansas City, will appear later this year.

So eager were the band to accept that they have extended their visit to the UK to two weeks, returning home after also competing in the Scottish Open Championship.

Success

Fountain City have been the pre-eminent brass band in the USA for the past few years, having been crowned North American Brass Band Champions for three consecutive years (2007 – 2009) and US Open Champions in 2007 and 2008.

Conducted by Joe Parisi, they will feature in the gala opener on Saturday 14 November, then compete in the championship the following day.

The band are thrilled at the prospect of the UK tour and are of course delighted and privileged to be able to compete in two such high profile contests during the tripHelen Tyler

High profile

Tour co-ordinator, Helen Tyler, former principal baritone with Fodens Band, stated: "The band are thrilled at the prospect of the UK tour and are of course delighted and privileged to be able to compete in two such high profile contests during the trip. We hope our experience of both the set test and entertainment format contests in the USA will stand us in good stead."

Norwegian contenders

Also making the trip for Brass in Concert are Manger Musikklag, the 2008 Siddis Champions, who were led to victory by Martin Winter.

Manger’s appearance continues a long association with Norwegian banding, most recently continued by visits from Stavanger in 2007 and Eikanger in 2008.