Philip Jones International Brass Ensemble Competition
After the Covid-induced hiatus, the return of the Philip Jones International Brass Ensemble Competition in July 2023 has been announced. After the triumphant inaugural incarnation (directed by John Miller and held at the Royal Northern College of Music in 2019) it will be held this time at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) and curated by Onyx Brass trombonist and RBC’s Head of Brass, Amos Miller.
The aim of this competition is to bring together young brass quintets and showcase excellence and enterprise in brass chamber music performance, building on the pioneering legacy of Philip Jones CBE (1928-2000), without whom brass chamber music would have an infinitely lesser profile. 2023 also marks the 30th anniversary of the eminent British brass quintet Onyx Brass, of which Philip was a great patron: inspired by him to commission (over 200 and counting!) new works, several of the set repertoire suggestions come from their catalogue, and the initial entry videos will be assessed by members of the group, and their composer-in-association Timothy Jackson.
A spokesperson for the event stated, “This competition will provide a platform for a new generation of brass players, who will benefit both from an exceptionally distinguished international panel and through peer-to-peer learning. Additionally, several prominent music festivals and venues have expressed interest in the outcome of the competition. We are very grateful, as always, to Ursula Jones for her indefatigable commitment to developing young artists, to James Murphy and the Royal Philharmonic Society, and to Buffet Crampon for their generous sponsorship.”
The competition format is for an ensemble of two trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba. Brass players wishing to take part must be aged 18 — 30 at the time of the competition, with a group average of no more than 28. Applications will therefore be accepted from those born on or after 20th July 1989. Applications close on 7th February 2023. The First Round will take place at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire between the 10th- 16th July. The first prize is £7,500 with additional prizes of £5,000 and £2,500.
Further information is available at: https://pjbe.org/
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