Island brass bands are heading to Blackpool this weekend to compete in the 2022 North-West Regional Championships – and the Steam Packet Company is supporting a number of them.
Douglas Town Band, Ramsey Town Band and Onchan Silver Band have all received discounted travel for players and their instruments when they travel to the contest.
A total of 74 bands will compete at the event at Blackpool's landmark Winter Gardens on Sunday, 27th February, across five sections.
Douglas, under the baton of Ken Mitchell, are one of 15 bands in the third section who will perform the Gordon Langford four-movement test piece Facets of Glass.
Meanwhile, Ramsey and Onchan make up two of 16 competitors in the fourth section tackling Argos, a three-part composition written by Stephen Hodel. Their respective musical directors are Robert Quane and David Karran.
The Championships mark the first time Onchan Silver Band has competed off-Island since 2010.
Similar to football leagues, bands can be promoted or relegated between sections based on their results. The top bands from each section will go forward to the National Finals later in the year.
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company managing director Brian Thomson said: ‘All three bands we are supporting play an important part in our community, giving up their time for performances across the Island and providing opportunities for players of all ages to hone their skills.
‘We know they have busy in recent months preparing for the competition and are sure they will be fine ambassadors for the Isle of Man. We would like to wish all the Manx bands competing in Blackpool the best of luck.’
