News Items

20th February, 2010. Small changes to timetable for the first section

Following the withdrawal of City of Bradford from the second section, the timings for the first section have been amended slightly so that the draw is now at 1300 and the estimated start time is now 1430

20th January, 2010. Youth Adjudication Panel

Once again the Yorkshire Regional Committee and 4Barsrest are teaming up to try and find the new generation of 21st century brass band adjudicators, with its Youth Adjudication Panel.

We are looking for 4 young people aged between 11 and 16 to come along to the Yorkshire Regional Championships on Sunday March 7th to judge performances of ‘Saint-Saens Variations’ by Philip Sparke in the 4th Section. On the day, the lucky quartet will have the chance to meet the composer Philip Sparke, who is also one of the official adjudicators, to gain some unique insights into his inspirations for the work. Philip’s fellow adjudicator Steve Pritchard-Jones will also be on hand to give the panel his own thoughts and tips on the adjudication process.

Regional Secretary Peggy Tomlinson said: "We are delighted to continue the youth adjudication initiative again this year. Feedback from the youngsters who have taken part in the previous for the previous two years has been exceptionally positive and we hope that the participants will be inspired to become the next generation of adjudicators and contest enthusiasts.. We are thrilled that both Steve and Philip have agreed to participate share their wealth of experience with the panel."

During the contest the panel will sit with the press on the first tier of St. George’s Hall with their own scores and mark sheets as the bands do battle on the stage below. On the day there is also a buffet lunch to enjoy and the panel, along with their parents/guardians will be VIP guests of the Yorkshire Championships with tickets for the whole weekend of the competition.

So, if you are interested in taking part in this exciting initiative then please contact Stuart Warriner from the Yorkshire Committee by e-mail at s.l.warriner@leeds.ac.uk

9th January, 2010. Entries, Precontest Gradings and Instructions Released

Details of the bands that have entered the 2010 contest have been released along with the pre-contest grading positions. Yorkshire are delighted to welcoming a new band, Clifton and Lightcliffe B to the contest for the first time this year. A total of 61 bands will compete over the weekend of the championships. The official instructions for bands are also available for download. They contain lots of important information to make sure the weekend passes as smoothly as possible.

2nd December, 2009. ABBA announce Regional Test Piece Workshop

OPEN HOUSE AT REGIONAL TEST PIECE WORKSHOP

Cleckheaton Sports Club, Bradford Road, Cleckheaton, Yorkshire BD19 5AG.

12.30.pm. SUNDAY 3rd JANUARY 2010.

The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators will be holding their Annual General Meeting during the morning of the above date at the Cleckheaton Sports Club. Following this meeting ABBA is joining forces with No2 Area of The National Association of Brass Band Conductors in promoting an Open Workshop covering the chosen works for Sections 4 -3 and 2 of the Regional Test Pieces for 2010.

This workshop which will commence at 12.30.pm, will be open to any interested party to attend. Each piece will be introduced by a member of ABBA who will outline the various points of interest from an adjudicating aspect. The Skelmanthorpe Band, Conductor John Roberts has been engaged for this workshop. Ample opportunity will also be given to members of the NABBC and anyone present to contribute both practically and verbally during the exploration of each piece.

It is proposed to allow 1hour 15mins. for each piece, with a break for light refreshments at some stage during the proceedings. This should result in a 4.30.pm finish.

There will be no charge for admission.

In promoting this workshop the two Associations are keen to encourage a large attendance.

It will provide an excellent opportunity for Players, Conductors, Adjudicators and all who have an interest in Competitions to exchange views on the many varied aspects of Contest Promotion, Preparation and Adjudication.

For further information contact Mal Brownbill by email or telephone.

Email. malbrownbill@hotmail.com

Telephone 01744 28642.

11th November, 2009. Ticket prices unchanged for 2010

We are pleased to announce that ticket prices for the 2010 contest will be unchanged. Tickets go on sale on the 4th of January.

7th October, 2009. Change of adjudicators

Some changes have been announced to the adjudicator line-up for Yorkshire 2010. James Gourlay has had to withdraw from adjudication due to professional commitments. Kevin Wadsworth will replace James and now adjudicate the first section alongside Lynda Nicholson. Yorkshire are delighted to welcome Philip Sparke, the composer of this year's test piece Saint-Saens variations, to the 4th section adjudication team. Philip will adjudicate alongside Steve Pritchard-Jones.

16th June, 2009. Programme for Yorkshire 2010 Announced

The programme for the 2010 Yorkshire championships has been announced. On Saturday the 6th of March the second and first section bands will compete while on Sunday the 7th of March the 3rd and 4th section bands will be followed by the Championship section.

16th June, 2009. Adjudicators for Yorkshire 2010 Announced

Adjudicators for the 2010 championships have been announced. Full details of all the adjudicators for each section can be found on the page.

15th June, 2009. Grading tables

Tables showing the grading position of bands after the 2009 contest results are now available in the gradings area. Promotions and relegations take effect from 2010.

27th February, 2009. New details on the website

The instructions for bands sent out to Band secretaries some time ago are now available for download from the site. In addition to procedures for the day these instructions list procedures for access for players with mobility difficulties and give lists of the percussion provided on the day.

19th February, 2009. Youth Adjudication Panel

Following the success of last year's initiative, the Yorkshire championships have once again teamed up with 4barsrest and The Bandsman to organise a youth adjudication panel at this year's contest. The youth panel will adjudicate the second section test piece: 'New World Sketches' by Dan Price. Before the contest starts the members of the panel will meet with the adjudicators of the contest, Mal Brownbill and Chris Wormald who will give the team insight into the judging process. Euphonium star Mark Bousie will also be on hand to offer insight throughout the day. All the panel's remarks and their results will also be published on 4barsrest after the event. More details on how to apply to join the panel are available on 4barsrest

13th February, 2009. Errata for Salute to Youth

Errata for the championship section test piece 'Salute to Youth' have been issued by Studio Music and sent out to all competing bands in Yorkshire by first class post today, Friday 13th of Feb.
A pdf version of can be downloaded here (1MB)

13th February, 2009. Errata for New World Sketches

A brief errata for the second section test piece 'New World Sketches' has been issued via the music panel. A pdf version can be downloaded here

2nd February, 2009. Start times for 3rd and 4th Sections

Please note that unfortunately there was an error on this web site regarding the start time for the 3rd at 4th sections. The 3rd section starts at 1030 on Saturday 7th March. the 4th section starts at 0930 on Sunday the 8th March. The listings on the site have now been corrected. Apologies for an confusion that may have arisen. The details sent to band secretaries are all correct.

26th January, 2009. Errata for Talisman

Errata for the 4th Section test Piece 'Talisman' have been released by the publishers and sent out to the secretaries of all bands competing in this section. They can also be downloaded here

19th December, 2008. Adjudicator Change for the Championship Section

The Yorkshire Regional Committee announce the withdrawal of James Gourlay from adjudicating the Championship Section at the Yorkshire Championships in March 2009. This is due to his appointment as Musical Director of Grimethorpe Colliery Band from January. He has been replaced by another tuba virtuoso, Steve Sykes. Commenting on the change, Peggy Tomlinson, Regional Secretary said “It is regrettable that James has had to withdraw but in the circumstances we have to accept it is in the best interest for all concerned. I am sure James will adjudicate for us in the future and in the meantime we welcome Steve to the 2009 championships as it is some years since he was in the box at Yorkshire “