A message from the organisers

Following discussions with the competing bands, ‘B:Music management at Symphony Hall’ and the composer of the Open test piece ‘The World Rejoicing’, Edward Gregson, the organisers of the British Open have made the decision to postpone the rescheduled 2021 British Open which was due to be held on Sunday 23rd January.

Obviously as contest organisers we feel strongly, as bands and the brass band community do, that the ability for all of us to return to a situation of normality where we can enjoy music making and contesting safely is something we embrace and look forward to. However the recent increase in the number of covid cases and effect of the new variant is such that in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the bands, audience and indeed our own team we feel we had to make the decision to reschedule the 23rd January event.

As well as the restrictions on bands being able to prepare and rehearse, there would inevitably be the risk of key band members testing positive and having to quarantine. This would impact the integrity of the British Open standards and quality of performance which is required to do justice to the UK contest premiere of ‘The World Rejoicing’ as well as the bands affected.

Alongside these key considerations, we are also very mindful of the uncertainty of the current situation and the need to provide as much notice as possible in terms of travel and hotel arrangements for those attending, as well as ensuring that the contest day is an enjoyable one for our audience.

This year’s contest to be held at Symphony Hall on Saturday 10th September 2022 will therefore be the 168th British Open, and all those who purchased tickets for the postponed September 2021 and January 2022 contests will be able to use their ticket for this event. Please wait to be contacted by B:Music box office regarding the new date, and the refund process, should you not be able to make this new date – please do not contact the box office directly’.

There are a small number of tickets remaining which are available from B:Music Box Office at Symphony Hall .

As before, the 168th British Open contest will be supported by Besson.

The Spring Festival qualifying contests at Winter Gardens Blackpool; We are presently proposing that these will take place as planned on Saturday 7th May 2022.