The 2009 Newark Brass Festival will be held over the weekend of 24-25 January 2009 and comprises a brass competition for young musicians and a concert at The Palace Theatre, Newark, Notts.

Prizes to the value of £1500 will be awarded but the winner will receive something very special - a concerto date with The Lincoln Symphony Orchestra on 14 November 2009.

Entrants will be equally divided into three competition sections according to grade passed.

On Saturday, the first round will take place before our judges. They will select four finalists from each section who will go through to the finals on Sunday.

On Sunday morning, the twelve finalists will play for all our judges and one winner will be chosen from each section, based on technical ability and star quality.

The three prizewinners will play alongside our judges in the afternoon concert and one will then be chosen as our overall champion.

Those who are chosen as finalists to play on Sunday will be awarded free accomodation for upto 3 people overnight on Saturday night (family room for 2 adults, 1 child) and 3 free seats at the concert on Sunday.

If you choose to stay until Sunday regardless of whether you make the finals, all are welcome to hear the finalists compete on Sunday morning, free of charge; tickets are available here for the concert on Sunday afternoon (the cost of 3 tickets will be refunded to finalists).