A competition to encourage young musicians to compose a piece of brass band music has been launched by the organisers of the popular Ironbridge Gorge Brass Band Festival with the support of local estate agent, Nock Deighton.
The competition is open to any young person under the age of 18 and the lucky winner will be able to hear their work rehearsed in a youth workshop and then performed at the 2013 Ironbridge Gorge Brass Band Festival in July 2013. There are also cash prizes for the winner and runners-up.
Entries should be no more than about three minutes long and the piece of music can be in any genre or style but should be scored for brass band. Entries will be judged by a panel of brass band specialists led by Dennis Masters, a local legend in brass banding and a highly respected conductor, composer and adjudicator.
Graham Taylor, Managing Director of Nock Deighton, said:
“I have a real passion for brass band music so when we were approached to support this competition I was delighted to be able to assist. As a company, Nock Deighton has always strived hard to support our local community and this is a very natural extension of that. I really hope that the competition encourages lots of youngsters to take up the challenge of composing music, and I am certainly looking forward to hearing the results!”
Eric Peagram, Youth Organiser for the Ironbridge Gorge Brass Band Festival, said:
“This year’s festival included many young performers and it was wonderful to see their enthusiasm. The festival is keen to support musical education and this competition gives youngsters the chance to show off their skills and compose their very own piece of brass band music.”
Entry forms can be downloaded from www.ironbridgebandfestival.co.uk and the deadline for entries is Monday 1 April 2013.