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´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2 is inviting applicants for its 2011 Young Brass Soloist Award, which celebrates the best brass playing in the UK. Launching on Thursday 21 October, the deadline for entries is midnight on Saturday 11 December 2010.

Just one performer will receive a trophy, an invitation to perform as guest soloist with one of the UK's top brass bands and a guest appearanceÌýon Radio 2'sÌýFriday Night Is Music Night – Britain's longest-running live music programme.

The award, which was presented earlier this year to 18-year-old Matthew White, is open to all brass players under the age of 21 of Grade 8, or equivalent standard, and who play regularly with aÌýbrassÌýband, wind band or orchestra and are resident in the UK.

Matthew, from Westhoughton in Lancashire, will perform live as a soloist with the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra on Radio 2's Friday Night Is Music Night on Friday 14 January next year.
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Talking about his experiences since gaining the prestigious award, he says: "Playing as a featured soloist with The Black Dyke Band to a packed Symphony Hall in Birmingham was an amazing opportunity and I'm particularly looking forward to playing with the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra. Being a Euphonium player that sort of opportunity doesn't come round very often!"
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Stage One will be judged by a panel of ´óÏó´«Ã½ experts. Six players will be selected to take part in Stage Two at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Studios in Manchester in January next year where they will record up to 10 minutes of music with a championship standard brass band.Ìý
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Two judges will then select four performers to go through to Stage Three – the awards final – which takes place in February at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, and will air on Radio 2 shortly after.

The young musicians will be accompanied by the world-renowned Black Dyke Band and will perform in front of an audience.Ìý
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Bob Shennan, Controller ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2, says: "I'm delighted that once again Radio 2 is searching for the finest young brass performers from the wealth of talent among the UK's brassÌýplaying community.

"Through this competition Radio 2 is continuing its on-going commitment to showcasing music at a grass-roots level, as well as giving these gifted young musicians a platform on which to perform."Ìý
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For further information and application forms, visit the . Details about how to get tickets to the final will be available on the website later this year.

KA