We are delighted to announce a new partnership with ABRSM, the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, who will be supporting the Championship Section at the next National Youth Brass Band Championships.
“Youth Champs”, as it’s otherwise known, will take place at Stockport Grammar School on Saturday 25 March 2023. The ABRSM Championship Section will form one of three performance opportunities at the event, along with the mid-level Performance Section and the non-competitive Besson Prodige Showcase Section.
The partnership follows the recent launch of the new ABRSM Brass Syllabus, which is targeted at the full spectrum of brass players, from orchestral to brass band and beyond.
ABRSM Regional Development Executive, Kerry Baldwin said: “Inspiring our next generation of players is an essential part of the ABRSM's work and the Youth Champs gives us a real reason to celebrate our future musicians. Opportunities like this offer a springboard to a life of music making. I hope our new Brass Syllabus can do the same. I'm really looking forward to sharing it with participants and audiences at the 2023 event in Stockport.”
The rebranded ABRSM Championship Section is the Youth Champs’ highest competitive section for groups to perform at an advanced level in an exciting atmosphere. This marks the culmination of players musical journey with youth brass bands, and players of all school ages are welcome. The bands will be judged by a panel who will give both verbal and written feedback and award certificates based on the standards they attain. The overall top three will be awarded along with a prize for best soloist. The highest placed English band will qualify for the European Brass Band Championship Youth Development Section.
BBE Partnership and Relationship Development Manager Alex Parker commented: “This new partnership not only helps to secure the future of the Youth Champs, it also adds considerable value to event participants. ABRSM and BBE are closely aligned with our joint commitment to support the future of our brass banding community, providing music education and performance opportunities that are high quality, accessible and fun. We are looking forward to working closely with them on what we consider to be a vital national event for youth music-making.”
The ABRSM team will also be attending and contributing to the Brass Bands Conference this Saturday 22 October, for which in you can still purchase a Digital Pass.
To find out more about entering your youth band for Youth Champs 2023 please visit BBE’s Youth Champs web page. The deadline for entry is Tuesday 17 January or when available places are filled.