UniBrass 2017 Adjudication Team Announced

With just a few short weeks to go until the 2017 contest, the UniBrass organising committee can today announce the team of adjudicators who will be overseeing the Trophy and Shield sections.

Cory Band musical director Philip Harper will precede his appearance in the Gala Concert by adjudicating bands in the UniBrass Trophy. He will be teaming up with former Whitburn Band musical director and music teacher Annie Crookston.

Following the unfortunate withdrawal of Queens’ University Belfast and Zone One Student Brass for logistical reasons, Philip and Annie will be casting their eyes over the nine bands of the Trophy section and ultimately crowning one the 2017 university brass band champions.

2015 and 2016 champions Manchester, return to defend their title once again, but will surely face stiff competition from all comers including former champions Huddersfield, last year’s runners-up Birmingham Conservatoire and new entrants, The Royal Northern College of Music.

The UniBrass Shield section has been established to give more bands the chance to win awards at the contest. Like the established Trophy, the Shield has been custom-made for UniBrass, with a unique design that will be revealed very soon.

Adjudicating this section will be principal cornet of the Fodens Band, Mark Wilkinson, and Black Dyke Solo Baritone Katrina Marzella. Sadly Cardiff University Brass Band are no longer able to attend this year’s contest, leaving ten bands in fierce competition to become the first name on the new Shield. Hopefully Cardiff, Queens’ and Zone One Student can return to UniBrass in the near future.

A spokesperson for the committee told A4B: ‘We are looking forward to welcoming Annie, Mark, Philip and Katrina to the Harrogate International Centre in February to judge the bands and work alongside our new youth adjudicators.’

Tickets are still available for the contest from http://www.unibrass.co.uk/currentcontest/tickets-2/, priced from just £9. Special discount tickets are also available if you want to enjoy the full event of contest and gala concert from the Cory Band!

The UniBrass Foundation gratefully accepts donations all year round to support the development of brass banding amongst young people.