The Butlins Mineworkers National Open Brass Band Festival 2010 (incorporating The Butlins Youth Band Festival) will be delivering it's most spectacular weekend of competition and entertainment yet. The challenging test pieces and an increased prize fund worth over £33,000 is expected to attract a record number of entries for the festival being held at the Skegness Resort over the weekend 22 - 25 January 2010.
All five sections will compete on Saturday 23 January performing their set work with the lower section prizes being awarded in a special awards presentation the same evening. The Championship section bands will compete in an entertainment contest on Sunday 24 January (hosted by BBC Radio 2’s Frank Renton) with the aggregate of the points over the two days determining the Butlins Champion Band 2010.
The test pieces for 2010 are:
Championship Section
Sleepless Cities (Paul Lovatt-Cooper) published by Prima Vista
First Section
A Hebridean Suite (Andrew Duncan) published by The Music Company
Second Section
Folk Music (Keith Wardle) published by Kirklees Music
Third Section
Diamonds (Tom Moss) published by Studio Music
Fourth Section
Roman Tryptych (Leigh Baker) published by Kirklees Music
The increased prize fund has been allocated as divided as follows:
Championship Section
1st Prize £7000
2nd Prize £3000
3rd Prize £2000
4th Prize £1000
Sections 1,2,3 & 4
1st Prize £2000
2nd Prize £1000
3rd Prize £700
4th Prize £500
Youth Band
1st Prize £1000
2nd Prize £600
3rd Prize £200
4th Prize £100
For the Sunday Championship Section Entertainment Contest, a special award of £1000 Trophy & Banner will be given for the most entertaining programme, and, the Geoff Dove memorial award & £300 for the winning Soloist
Bands wishing to enter the contest should apply in writing to the contest administrator
Brian Eggleshaw,
Contest Administrator,
59, Cardale Road,
MANSFIELD,
Notts. NG19 7RW
In addition to all the entertainment and facilities that make Butlins so famous, the festival this year features concerts from the defending champions Redbridge Brass (Friday 22) and the world famous Fairey Band (Sunday 24). Butlins are also pleased to announce that due to popular demand the British Philharmonic Big Band will be returning to the festival on Saturday 23 January. As in previous years, the Association of Band Traders will be providing their usual excellent exhibition throughout the event in the Skyline Pavilion.
Couples, families and groups of friends are welcome to combine their love of brass band music with a short break. A three night break based on four guests sharing a silver self-catering apartment is just £60 per person and includes accommodation, entertainment & parking.
The Festival is hugely popular, attracting Brass Bands from all over the UK, and unique in offering a blend of top quality live brass band music with all the entertainment and facilities for which Butlins is renowned. Butlins advise that all guests should book their accommodation early so as to avoid disappointment.
