What is the National Youth Championships?
The National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain is a brass band competition and festival open to any Youth and Training Band in the United Kingdom. It is designed to celebrate, unite and promote youth music making in brass bands at all levels.
There are three entry levels suitable for bands of all abilities and participants aged 18 or under. This event is a brilliant showcase of talent and supports young players right up to where they might join an adult band or a university band (if they hadn’t already).
Where and when is it being held?
This year's Youth Champs will take place at Stockport Grammar School, Greater Manchester, on Saturday 25 March. The school's address is Buxton Road, Stockport, Cheshire, SK2 7AF.
How can I purchase tickets for the event?
Tickets are available from the BBE website events section until midnight on Wednesday 23 March, after which, tickets will be available to purchase on the door.
Advance tickets: Adults: £13, Children: £5, u5: Free
Day tickets: Adults: £15, Children: £7.50, u5: Free
Food and drink
Food and drink will be available to purchase on-site from 9am - until performances end and can be consumed in the school's Sixth Form Centre. Food includes breakfast rolls, burgers and hot dogs, hot and cold drinks and snacks. Vegetarian options will be available. Please note that cold drinks and snacks are cash only. Hot food is purchasable via card.
If bands will be eating a packed lunch on site, please use the designated Band Holding Area space for this. Audience members are welcome to bring their own refreshments, which can be consumed in the Sixth Form Centre. Alcohol is prohibited at this event.
Access
Accessibility for the School Hall
The second hall in use for the day (for the Performance Section) is up two flights of stairs. There is an accessible route to this venue via a lift followed by a stair-lift for the final flight of stairs. Bands competing in this section have been asked to tell us if they know that any of their performers/support team/audience members have accessibility needs. If you require assistance please report to the event welcome desk where an authorised individual will operate the stair lift.
PARTICIPATING
Who can take part?
Any band within Great Britain and Northern Ireland can participate, as long as your members are 18 years old or under. For band members who are over 18 years of age but are still studying within the formal education system, please apply in writing to youthchamps@bbe.org.uk. For further queries around the page of band members please see the Youth Champs Aims & Rules document or get in touch.
What are the different sections?
The three sections of the competition are:
Besson Prodige Showcase Section (18 years and under)
The Besson Prodige Showcase Section is the Youth Champs’ non-competitive section, offering an opportunity
to take part and contribute a great performance without the pressure of a competition.
Performance Section (18 years and under)
The principal aim of this section is to give young people an introductory experience of competitive
performance. Participating bands will be given the freedom to select their own choice of music to promote
flexible teaching and suitable repertoire for performance at this level
ABRSM Championship Section (18 years and under)
The aim of this section is for young people to perform together at a high standard and provide the final step
through the doorway to student or adult banding.
When do applications open and close?
Applications open for bands on the 20 September, and run on a first come, first served basis. Band entry fee is required upon entry, as well as provisional band participant numbers. Applications close on the 17 January 2023.
How much does it cost to enter?
£75 (£25 for BBE member bands) plus £1 per player.
Please note that any band wishing to play in both a competitive and non-competitive section may be able to do so (depending upon entry levels) but will require two separate entries at the full entry fee rate.
When will the draw take place?
The draw for the order of play will take place live via Zoom on Friday 20 January 2023. The order of play for the morning sessions will be drawn bearing in mind bands’ geographical distance to the contest. To avoid very early starts for morning sections, bands within 50 miles of the contest will be drawn in the first group, those within 50-100 miles will be drawn next and anyone over 100 miles will be drawn in the final part of the contest. For afternoon sessions the process will be reversed.
Requests for an early draw will be accepted but requests to play later will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
What are the facilities for bands at the venue?
There will be space to leave coats, bags and cases but due to child safeguarding this cannot be used as a changing area. Please arrive in uniform ready to perform. Dedicated warm up areas are available to all participating bands/groups.
How will I gain access on the day - do I need any paperwork?
Wristbands for players, the Musical Director and up to four helpers will be given to the official of each band upon arrival. These wristbands will provide access to the backstage area prior to and during the performance, and into the auditorium for the duration of the section in which the band is competing.
What are the trade stand and advertising opportunities?
Different options are available for trade stand, programme adverts (full and half page), and t-shirt branding opportunities. For further information, please email jess@bbe.org.uk.
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