The National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain will be held at Corby Business Academy on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 March 2022. Applications from youth bands to participate in the event launched on 10 September and will remain open until Friday 17 December 2021. Enter your band now!
Tickets to attend the event as a spectator are now on sale from the Brass Bands England Events page. Current prices are at an Early-Bird discounted rate with 10% off.
Information for bands
For full information on how to submit your entry please download the Pre-Entry Information Pack.
The full rules of the contest can be found in the Youth Champs Aims and Rules Document.
Overview - Contest Sections
Besson Prodige Debut Section (18 and under) - The aim of this section is to enable beginners to receive their first experience of public performance as well as provide a space for more experienced players to perform in a non-competative environment. All competitors in this section should have a positive experience so to encourage them to continue to progress on their instrument.
Bands are required to play an own-choice programme not exceeding 10 minutes playing time. There is no set test-piece.
Elementary Section (14 and under) - The aim of this section is to give young people their first experience of competitive performance. Participating bands will be given the freedom to select their own choice of music to promote flexible teaching and suitable repertoire for performance at this level.
Bands will perform an own-choice programme, not exceeding 15 minutes, which must include one original piece of music for brass band and two verses of a hymn from 120 Hymn Tunes for Brass Bands [the ‘Red’ hymn book].
Intermediate Section (16 and under) - The aim of this section is to introduce young people to the concept of assessment on original brass band music, in preparation for advancement to performing set test-pieces in future years.
Bands will perform an own-choice programme not exceeding 20 minutes, which must include an original brass band work of at least 7 minutes’ duration.
Championship Section (18 and under) - The aim of this section is for young people to perform together at a high standard and provide the final step through the doorway to adult banding. All the players in this section will be young people still in formal education. The principles established earlier mean that it is not appropriate for those over the age of 18, who have left the education system or who are studying in tertiary education, to still be taking part in youth contesting. Those who are over 18 years of age but who are still studying within the formal education system will be permitted to take part in the event. In the case of over 18 players, please apply in writing to youthchamps@bbe.org.uk
Bands will perform an own-choice programme not exceeding 20 minutes, which will include a set test-piece.
Test Piece for 2022
The set test-piece for the Championship Section will be Saint-Saëns Variations by Philip Sparke. It is published by the composer and available from Band-Supplies at https://www.bandsupplies.co.uk/tp-saintseans-product
Provisional Timings
We are providing provisional timings based on previous entries to assist participating bands in their planning but these timings will be confirmed at the time of the draw. These times represent the earliest start times for the contest. Bands should be able to plan to be able to arrive at these times, as, in the interests of fair competition, requests to play later will no longer be considered.
Saturday 26 March 2022
Besson Prodige Debut Section – First band performs 12:30 (arrival 11:30)
Elementary Section – First band performs 9:30 (arrival 8.30)
Sunday 27 March 2022
Intermediate Section – First band performs 9:30 (arrival 8.30)
Championship Section – First band performs 12:00 (arrival 11:00)
Draw
To avoid very early starts to your day for morning sections bands within 50 miles of the contest will be drawn first, bands within 50-100 miles will be drawn second and anyone over 100 miles will be drawn next. For afternoon sessions the reverse will take place to prevent very late return journeys with those travelling over 100 miles drawn first, over 50 miles second and less than 50 miles last.
Requests for an early draw will be considered, however, requests to play later will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
This proposal has been suggested following feedback from a number of bands in order to maximise participation whilst maintaining the spirit of competition with a draw taking place still. These provisions are a trial for the 2022 event and feedback will be taken to see if these provisions remain in future years.
Additional Information:
Adjudication
Two scores of each band’s own choice pieces must be provided for the adjudicators. All adjudication will be open. Points will not be awarded. The adjudicators’ decisions are final.
Rehearsal Facilities
Dedicated rehearsal and warm up areas will be available to all participating bands/groups. There will also be a space provided to leave coats, bags and cases, however, due to child safeguarding this cannot be used as a changing area. Please arrive in uniform ready to perform.
Wristbands
Wristbands for players, the Musical Director and up to four helpers will be given to the official of each band upon arrival. These wristbands will provide access to the backstage area prior to and during the performance, and into the auditorium for the duration of the section in which the band is competing.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased from BBE.org.uk/events
Day tickets: Adults: £12.50, 12-16: £7.50 and Under-12: £4.50.
Weekend tickets: Adults: £15.00, 12-16: £9.00 and Under-12: £5.
Questions?
For any information regarding the championships, please contact the contest controller on youthchamps@bbe.org.uk.