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After an exciting second stage of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist Competition, held at the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ studios in Manchester, four young players have been selected to go through to the prestigious final.

Playing for the title at the final alongside the world-famous Black Dyke Band will be:

Jonathan Bates, from Huddersfield, who plays tenor horn and is aged 14.

Zoe Hancock, from St Austell, who plays flugel horn and is aged 18.

Matthew White, from Westhoughton, who plays euphonium and is aged 19.

Benjamin Richeton, who lives in Salford, who plays cornet and is aged 20.

The adjudicators for the final will again be Philip Cobb, joint principal trumpet of the LSO, and conductor Richard Evans. Both adjudicated the second stage of the competition.

Philip Cobb says: "It was a real pleasure listening to all the players in the second stage of the competition. The technical ability on display was second to none and I'm looking forward to judging the four finalists on 20 February and to hearing what they have to offer in performance."

Two performance prizes will give the winner the unique opportunity to play with the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Concert Orchestra on Radio 2's flagship live music programme Friday Night Is Music Night, and to play as a soloist with a Championship-standard brass band at a prestigious event. Both will be broadcast on Radio 2.

The final will be held on Saturday 20 February at The Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, and will be hosted by Radio 2's Frank Renton.

Highlights of the event will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Friday 26 February at 9.30pm.

SH3