Ursula Jones will be hosting an inaugural Philip Jones International Brass Ensemble Competition at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, UK on 15-20 July, 2019.
The aim of this competition is to bring together young brass quintets and to showcase excellence and enterprise in brass chamber music performance, building on the legacy of Philip Jones CBE (1928-2000). This will provide a platform for a new generation of brass players, who will benefit from the competition both from a distinguished international panel and through peer-learning.
Several prominent music festivals and venues have expressed interest in the outcome of the competition, and three major prizes will be awarded during the event; The Philip Jones Prize (£10,000), The Marah Mahlowe Prize (£7,500) and The Founder’s Prize (£5,000).
The inaugural competition of 2019 will be for brass quintet (two trumpets, one horn, trombone, tuba) and will be eligible for players aged between 16 and 30. The average age of any group at 20 July 2019 should not be more than 28 years.
The international jury will comprise five members (two trumpets, one horn, trombone and tuba) with special expertise in this field, led by the jury Chair Reinhold Friedrich.
Applications for this competition will be received in summer 2018, and it is anticipated that 16 groups will be chosen to come to Manchester. Selection will be from submitted video-recordings, based on the criteria of musical qualities, enterprise and presentation.
Full details of the competition will be posted on the website pjbe.org in early 2018. Information will include particulars of the jury, application procedures and timelines, competition regulations and details of required repertoire at the various stages of the competition.
This will be the first major competition of its kind held in the UK, which I hope will stimulate interest and participation from outstanding young brass players across the world.
Prof John Miller, Royal Northern College of Music
Further information: Jayne Rollason, Project Manager jayne@classicmgt.org.uk +44 (0)1295 780689