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Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 2 is again inviting young brass players to enter its prestigious Young Brass Soloist Competition to find the best young player of 2010.

The competition, which was won this year by 18-year-old trombonist Stephen Sykes, is open to all brass players under the age of 21, of Grade 8 or equivalent standard and who play regularly with a brass band, wind band or orchestra.

The competition launches today, Monday 19 October 2009, and entry will close on Friday 11 December 2009.

The winner will receive a trophy and get an invitation to perform as guest soloist with a top championship brass band and be invited onto Radio 2's flagship live music programme Friday Night Is Music Night.

Stage one of the competition will be judged by a panel of Ö÷²¥´óÐã experts. Six players will be selected to take part in Stage two at the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Studios in Manchester on Saturday 30 January 2010, where they will record up to 10 minutes of music with a championship standard brass band.

Two judges will then select four performers to go through to Stage three, the Grand Final, which takes place on Saturday 20 February 2010 at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Competitors will be accompanied by the world renowned Black Dyke Band and will perform in front of an audience.

Information on how to get tickets to the final will be available at bbc.co.uk/radio2.

Bob Shennan, Controller Ö÷²¥´óÐã 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 brass 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."

The final can be heard on Radio 2 on Friday 26 February 2010.

For further information and application forms, go to bbc.co.uk/radio2 or call the Radio 2 audience line on 03700 100 200.

SM3