Radio 2 Events

If you think you've got what it takes, send a recording of your playing along with your application form, and you could be one of four finalists playing alongside the world famous Black Dyke Band in the Grand Final on 20 February 2010 at The Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

THE COMPETITION

Stage one
Closing date: 11 December 2009

Each entrant must submit a recording of two contrasting pieces lasting no more then 10 minutes. This can either be an accompanied or a solo performance and should be on CD, minidisk, cassette or similar. It is non- returnable. The judges listening to these recordings are BBC music producers with relevant brass qualifications. They will select six players to go on to stage two. The judging of any submitted recording will be made on the quality of the performance alone and not the recording quality itself.

Stage two
30 January 2010, BBC Manchester

The six selected performers will be invited to record a programme of not more than 10 minutes with a Championship standard Brass Band. These recordings will be judged by two adjudicators, both with international reputations in the field, who will jointly select the four players to go forward to stage three, The Grand Final

Stage three - The Grand Final
20 February 2010, Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester

The four finalists will play a programme of no more than 10 minutes each accompanied by The Black Dyke Band. The final takes place with an invited audience; it will be introduced by Frank Renton and broadcast on BBC Radio 2. The adjudicators have international reputations in the field.


Along with the title and specially designed trophy, the winner will receive two invitations: one to perform with the BBC Concert Orchestra on Radio 2's flagship music programme, Friday Night is Music Night, and the other will be the chance to play with a Championship standard Brass Band at a high profile event. Both events will be broadcast by BBC Radio 2.

Download the application form and full competition rules (pdf)