Competition


Competition 2010 The competition is now complete and the £1000 prize awarded to Edd Leech "Thank you so much for everything. I'm so glad I came back for the second year. Long live the festival." - Edd Leech, Open Class prizewinner. "Thank you very much for your wonderful hospitality at the festival. I'm very glad I came, and I made some brilliant new contacts and friends." - Andy McDade, competitor. "I think what you are doing is really fantastic and I wish you all the best for the future of the festival." - Asako Ogawa (right), pictured with Wai Yin, official accompanists. "I thought the festival was a real success." - Helen Reid, pianist, pictured with Michael Buchanan in rehearsal for the premiere of Skerry and Fjord by Cecilia McDowall, commissioned by the festival as part of Michael's prize for winning last year's competition. "I think it is wonderful that these young players have such a platform available to them and I do hope the festival just grows and grows." - Cecilia McDowall, composer. "I am pleased to be involved in such a successful festival. It's a great opportunity for all young brass players." - Stephen Wick, competition judge, pictured here with Helen Reid, pianist (left) and Angela Smith, festival organiser (centre). "I just wanted to say how enjoyable yesterday and the concert was." - Michael Druiett, father of competitor Will Druiett (right), Junior Class prizewinner, pictured here with Edd Leech (left) and Andy McDade. These were the 2010 competition rules: 1. Newark Brass Festival Competition (NBFC) on January 23-24, 2010, is for amateurs and music students only. An amateur is someone who does not derive their livelihood by performing music in any way and is accepted by the judges to be an amateur. 2. NBFC is open to all brass players aged 9 to 30 on 23 January 2010. Competitors under the age of 16 must have permission of a parent/guardian before entering the competition. 3. All applications will be acknowledged by email. Successful entrants will be notified of acceptance by email and asked to provide proof of age and grade and pay the non-refundable entrance fee of £20 within 28 days. Please note that numbers are limited for the competition; unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email. 4. Competitors must currently be not less than grade 5 Associated Board (or equivalent) standard. Competitors will be expected to perform music that is at or above their grade. 5. Competitors will be divided into three groups (ages 9-14, ages 15-17 and an open class for ages 11-30 at grade 8 and above). Successful entrants will be notified of their group and the playing time for their pieces not later than 30 November 2009 or 7 days after acceptance, whichever is later. Entrants aged 9-17 playing at grade 8 or above will be able to nominate a preferred group for entry (by age or open class) or may pay an extra £20 to enter the competition in both groups. 6. Competitors will be expected to perform a programme appropriate to their grade. 7. Competitors in age groups 15-17 and the open class will be invited to perform for the judges on Saturday and may be shortlisted to perform again later in the day. The winner from each group will be invited to play in the concert on Sunday afternoon, where prizes will be presented. 8. Competitors in age group 9-14 will be invited to perform for the judges on Sunday morning. The winner will be announced during the concert on Sunday afternoon, where prizes will be presented and they will be invited to play their winning piece(s). 9. Newark Brass Festival will provide free accommodation (room only) for the two Saturday winners (15-17 and the open class) at a local hotel, each in a family room, which sleeps 2 adults and one child, and will award each winner 2 tickets to the gala concert on Sunday, but will not be able to offer any other financial assistance of any sort. 10. At the end of the concert, one of the winners will be declared overall champion. 11. A high standard of performance is expected in all rounds. Performers should dress smartly and display a good platform manner at all times. Chosen programmes should demonstrate the player’s versatility, musicianship and technical ability. 12. Competitors may use their own piano accompanist at their own expense. An official piano accompanist will be available at a cost of £50 total, payable at the time of entry. If competitors wish to use the official accompanist the proposed accompaniments must be sent to the administrator for approval by 30 November 2009 or at entry if later. If an accompaniment is not approved, NBFC will liaise with the competitor to agree a suitable alternative. 13. The judges’ decision will be final and abiding in each round. No discussion or correspondence regarding the judges’ decisions will be entertained. The prizes will be awarded according to the judges’ decision. The three winners will receive their prizes during the gala concert and the overall champion will be announced and receive their prize at the end. 14. Newark Brass Festival will only ever use competitors’ personal details for the purpose of administrating this competition and will not publish them to anyone without their written permission. 15. Entrants must provide full details as required on the online entry form and comply with all the competition rules to be eligible for the prizes. No responsibility will be accepted for entries made fraudulently and these will be rejected. 16. Newark Brass Festival does not accept any responsibility for late or lost entries. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt. If applicants have not received an acknowledgement email within 7 days of application, they should reapply. 17. Newark Brass Festival reserves the right at any stage to cancel the Festival if, at the sole discretion of the NBFC committee, the Festival cannot start or continue, due to circumstances beyond their control. 18. Newark Brass Festival will be run with due regard to competitors’ welfare and safety, but cannot be held liable for any accident, loss or damage. 19. The use of videos, cameras and sound equipment is prohibited at any of the venues.

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