Optimism for Butlins 2021
Butlins organisers say they are "extremely hopeful" that their 2021 Brass Band Festival will take place. The festival is due to be held at Butlin's Skegness Resort on the weekend of 8th-11th January. As a result, the deadline for discounted entry has been extended until 31st August. Entries for all sections are now being processed through the Brass Bands England (BBE) website. Bands wishing to enter should go to: https://www.bbe.org.uk/events and select Butlin's Open Brass Band Festival and follow the instructions through to the payment section.
Speaking about the hopeful news, Festival Director, Steve Walker stated, "We are pleased to be able to make these very positive announcements, especially at a time when there has been so little good news and a lot of uncertainty. We are extremely hopeful that the 2021 event can go ahead in a manner and spirit as close as possible to the fantastic weekends we have hosted in the past and would like to encourage as many members of the brass band community as possible to come and join us. We will obviously not put anyone at unnecessary risk and will take all necessary precautions in keeping with the best advice available at the time, so if your band is looking for a first event in a long time then there may be no better choice than Butlin's."
The Championship Section test piece is ‘Paganini Variations’ (Phillip Wilby), with sections 1-3 able to select an own-choice test-piece. Section 4 bands will perform a 20 minute entertainment programme, with open adjudication. Awards and prize money remain the same as in 2020, although the winner of the Entertainment element of the Championship Entertainment Contest will now receive an invitation to the following year's Brass in Concert at Sage Gateshead.
The Youth Band and Debut Section (formerly Junior Ensemble) contests will now be entertainment based, with age categories closer reflecting those in operation at the National Youth Brass Band Championships. Similarly, the categories in the British Open Solo and Ensemble Championships have also changed, with quintets now also able to take part in the event and soloists no longer restricted to playing slow melodies or air varies in certain sections.
Commenting on the adaptations Steve Walker stated, "Solo and small ensemble contests have been important to brass banding for many years and we are very keen to inject new energy into this aspect of the genre, which has perhaps recently been neglected in the wider sense. We hope that the new format appeals to everyone, but to those players who have formed small 'lockdown' groups in recent weeks, why not come along to Skegness in January and let the rest of the banding world hear the fruits of your efforts?"
Full details of rules and regulations for all sections will be published on the BBE website at www.bbe.org.uk and further information is available from Contest Controller Brian Eggleshaw on 01754 450911, 07976 521080 (mobile) or by email at brian.eggleshaw@gmail.com
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