New Solo Competition with cash prizes launched

With many summer schools choosing to cancel their courses amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the Brass Band Summer School (BBSS) - formerly known as the Harry Mortimer Brass Band Summer School, named after its founding President – has taken the innovative step to utilise its entire tutorial staff, together with a number of special guests to deliver an interactive, collaborative online experience for its delegates this year. The new virtual course has been met with international approval, with delegates signing up from all over the world, and plans are well underway to ensure the course, taking place from August 10-14, 2020, is a great success.

In addition to working with some of the finest tutors around, hearing from legendary musicians through a special webinar series, being part of exciting virtual concerts, and playing for maestro Richard Evans, the BBSS is also giving its delegates the opportunity to take part in an ‘in house’ solo competition with a prize fund of £500

Star horn tutor and competition coordinator, Owen Farr, revealed: “Although not compulsory, this new competition is exclusive to BBSS participants and aims to provide entrants with incentive to keep practising and performing during these difficult times. Initially those keen to enter will be required to send in an unaccompanied audio submission of a piece of their choice, together with an adjudicator's PDF piano score, in advance of the course.

“Up to 12 finalists will then be selected by a panel of adjudicators and will be required to make a video recording of their solo piece using a bespoke piano track provided by the BBSS’s resident pianist, Matthew McCombie. This material will then be edited together to form Thursday's (August 13) Solo Competition Showcase Concert, during which prize-winners will be announced.”

Owen continued, “Players of all ages and ability are encouraged take part. Not only will they receive feedback from our expert adjudicators, they’ll also have the chance to pick up one of our many cash prizes distributed across various instruments and age groups.”

This is just one of many new initiatives that the BBSS are offering next month. To secure your place, please follow this link: https://www.brassbandsummerschool.com/book-now