There has been a great response to our great prize - so why not give it a go and get your hands on some very special mutes from Denis Wick.

John Packer Ltd and Denis Wick have teamed up in a fantastic competition to give away £250 worth of mutes.

Easy to enter:

This unique competition is really easy to enter – just follow the link below:

https:/­/­apps.facebook.com/­sweepstakeshq/­contests/­218619

£250 of Denis Wick mutes

To enter simply fill in your name, email and instrument. The winner will receive a set of Dennis Wick mutes of their choice up to a recommended retail value of £250.

Any mutes can be chosen from the Denis Wick range for any instrument or instruments.

Go to: http:/­/­www.deniswick.com/

The prize includes carriage to mainland UK only.

The prize has no nominal value and cannot be exchanged for cash. The winner is picked at random and will be notified by email.

For the first time in nearly half a century, the Australian National Championships will be held in Perth in 2013.

In 2013, and for the first time in nearly 50 years, the Australian National Brass Band Championships will take place in Perth in Western Australia.

Proud

Organising Secretary Wiebe Wilbers told 4BR: "The Western Australian Band Association (WABA) is proud to have been awarded the Yamaha National Band Championships for 2013.

On behalf of the organising committee I warmly invite everyone to join us as Perth hosts this prestigious event for the first time in almost half a century."

Help

4BR understands that the organisation of the event is well under way, with the event’s travel partner Motive Tours, already assisting bands and supporters in finding great flight deals and accommodation.

4BR coverage

With 4BR Director Anthony Banwell, and former Scottish Brass Band Association Development Officer Alan Edmond now living in Perth, 4BR will be making the trip to enjoy the event and catch up with friends.

Anthony added: "It’s a wonderful opportunity for 4BR to cover the Australian National Championships and enjoy what Perth has to offer too. Everyone in the banding community here is excited by the event."

Further information

The Perth website now live, and can be reached at: http:/­/­nationalbands2013.com/

The Facebook site is also now active, and available at: http:/­/­www.facebook.com/­nationalbands2013

The Blue Relay Team of Brass the Baton makes a long journey from Holmfirth to Lincolnshire this weekend.

The Scissett Youth Band recently performed the premier of the ‘Blue Baton Relay’ last as part of their ‘Brass the Baton’ commitment.

Great success

Band secretary Mel Armstrong told 4BR: "The evening was a great success, with Going the Distance providing a strong focal point in the final double act. The church was full and everyone enjoyED the concert."

71 mile trip

This Saturday MD Nigel Armstrong will carry the Blue Baton to the next band in the Blue Relay, to the Silver Sounds Band based in Lincolnshire, by cycling all the way from his home in Holmfirth to Dunston – a 71 mile trip!

Nigel can be seen on route on the A631, A634 and A57 as he takes the opportunity to raise funds for the Scissett Youth Band.

Composer Phil Lawrence hopes to be rubbing shoulders with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in Cannes...

Composer Phil Lawrence will soon be rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s most famous film stars and producers at the Cannes Film Festival.

Magnificent Eleven

Phil has written the score to a film called ‘The Magnificent Eleven’, which will be shown at the world famous event, where it is hoped that it will be taken up for worldwide release.

Inspired by the iconic 1960 film 'The Magnificent Seven', the brand new 21st century ‘urban’ version comes with a twist – although it does feature the great American actor Robert Vaughn, who starred in the original.

Also in the cast are actors Sean Pertwee, Keith Allen and Paul Barber, whilst the film is directed by Irvine Welsh, the author of the novel ‘Trainspotting’.

Story

The story centres on an amateur football team, well past their sell-by date, who help their local Indian curry house battle against extortion racketeers, led by Vaughn in the role of the dastardly ‘American Bob’.

Add in the obligatory love interest, plenty of action and lots of laughs and hopefully a new British classic will be seen in the multiplex cinema near you soon.

Blast

Phil told 4BR: "As we couldn’t use music from the original film I decided to give it a Bollywood-Bangrah treatment, dictated by the great camera work. It’s a bit of a Ennio Moricone, Tex-Mex, Kill Bill, Mariachi blast!"

He added: "There’s plenty for everyone in terms of style and genre with sax & trombone, tumpets and vocals, which are sung by Shahin Badar, who did all the backing vocals on 'Smack ma bitch up' by The Prodigy!

It’s been an amazing experience – a real hard working 10 week blast, but the end result is a brilliant film which I’m very proud to have been a part off. Now comes the nice bit and a great week in Cannes!”

To see more go to:

www.youtube.com/­watch?v=bFE0P77FruE

Masters champion in ground breaking American partnership with ambitious Texas Star Band in Dallas.

From just a flicker, within a matter of a few months the Texas Star Brass Band from Lewisville, Dallas is shining brightly!

Rehearsals only commenced towards the end of February this year, although they have now performed at a number of engagements.

Highly committed

At a recent guest artist recital at the University of North Texas College of Music directed by resident conductor Kristopher Quaale, Band President, Jonathan Kramer and Personnel Director Brian Davis announced their ambition to embrace the culture and heritage of the traditional British style brass band and develop it in one of the most important musical heartlands of America.

Partnership

This has resulted in the start of a ground breaking partnership with current Masters champion Tredegar Town Band, which they hope will lead to a long and mutually rewarding friendship and exchange of ideas and workshops.

Matthew and David Ruel of Bandmaster Ltd recently visited Lewisville and were immediately impressed with the rehearsal facilities and standard of playing.

Highly professional

Matthew told 4BR: "This is a very ambitious, highly professional organisation, which has a real desire to bring the British style brass band to forefront of music making in Texas and beyond. The band has a full and talented membership and we are delighted to be able to help begin a long term musical connection with Tredegar."

In return, Tredegar’s latest CD is now being listened to in the Dallas area and Texas Star Brass Band were pleased to see that the CD featured Gordon Langford's 'Men of Harlech' which the band are currently rehearsing for their summer engagement programme.

Export

Tredegar’s MD Ian Porthouse is also looking forward to exploring the Texas/Tredegar partnership further.

"This really is a ground breaking development. To make a link with such an ambitious organisation is very exciting. This goes to show that the British brass band is a musical export to be proud of and we will be working closely with Texas to ensure their long term success."

Musical partnership

At their most recent concert Texas Star Brass included an arrangement for euphonium of 'The Yellow Rose of Texas’ played by principal euphonium Brian Bowman, as well as Holst's ‘The Moorside Suite’, Philip Sparke's ‘The Year of the Dragon’ and the march ‘Knight Templar’.

Five ensembles from Wardle High School will perform at the Music for Youth Festival in Birmingham in July.

Wardle High School has confirmed that five of its musical groups have been selected to perform at the National Music for Youth Finals in Birmingham in July.

Selected

The school’s Senior Brass Band, the Symphonic Wind Band, Wind Band, Junior Brass Band and Percussion Group have been invited to the prestigious event.

Meanwhile, the members of the National Championship winning Smithy Bridge Primary School is starting to rehearse ahead of their forthcoming performance with the newly crowned European Champion Black Dyke.

Wonderful news

MD Lee Rigg told 4BR: "The news of the Festival for Youth appearances marks a wonderful achievement for everyone involved in the Wardle organisation. The pupils are a credit to the school as they work hard to continue the high standards it has always aimed to achieve."

Smithills Schools Senior Band to perform at top American theme park on US tour.

A thrilling highlight has been added to the July tour of America by Smithills School Senior Brass Band.

Under the direction of MD Chris Wormald they will perform at Carowinds, one of America’s largest and most thrilling theme parks on the border of North and South Carolina.

Thrill

Chris told 4BR: "We enjoyed visiting Carowinds on three previous occasions between 2000 and 2007 but so far have never performed there. It will be a great thrill to play to such massive crowds on our America tour in July."