FOLLOWING an abundance of worthy entries we're delighted to announce the winner and runner's up of our 2012 Christmas Giveaway. In December we asked schools and teachers to nominate young music students that were deserving of a new instrument for Christmas. After much debate the list was whittled down to four candidates with the top prize - a JP277 tuba - being awarded to Bradley Robertson in Surrey. Bradley was nominated by his teacher Lewis Gibbs from Sutton Music Service for his commitment to music and local orchestras; occasionally arriving on a scooter with his tuba!

Kieran Davies, a promising young clarinetist from South Wales was awarded a JP221. He has made remarkable progress since beginning in September. His teacher Mrs Rowberry - who has been teaching for more than 20 years - said he had obvious natural talent and would go far.

Runner's up prizes of £75 in music gift vouchers were awarded to Joszef Kereszteny-Lewis from Cheshire who plays clarinet, and flautist Tharneshan Nandakumar from South Croydon.

PHOTO: Bradley Robertson with his JP277 Tuba.

PHOTO: Kieran Davies with his JP221 clarinet alongside his teacher Mrs Rowberry.

'TIS the season of goodwill and when could be a better time to donate an instrument to a good home?!

We are asking schools and teachers that know a deserving young student to get in touch and tell us why they think that player should be awarded a new instrument.

We'll consider the applications by the closing date of Thursday December 13th and one luck youngster will receive the instrument in time for Christmas!

Just to clarify, this instrument will be completely FREE OF CHARGE (including carriage).

The Spirit of Christmas is alive and well!

Send your nomination to jean@johnpacker.co.uk

JAZZWISE Magazine has joined forces with JP Musical Instruments, to bring musicians the chance of winning a fantastic JP245 alto saxophone which featured in the Jazzwise Instrument Review section of the May issue.

The JP245, which sells for £763, is a beautifully finished instrument in yellow brass with some tasteful floral engraving that not only adorns the bell, but also the body. Qualiy is the keyword, with blue springs, solid screws, metal reflectors and calf pads. In the playability stakes Jazzwise gave it the thumbs, describing it as being a free and easy blower with crisp keywork, clear altissimo and a full-bodied, well defined lower register. Jazzwise were also mightily impressed by its extraordinary dynamic range. 'This is some sax!', they said. Road ready, it comes in a lightweight, denier covered semi-solid, plush lined zippered case.

How to win!

To win this great instrument, just answer the following question. Who played the alto saxophone on the Dave Brubeck Quartet's Time Out album? What it: Bud Shank, Art Pepper, or Paul Desmond.

Send the answer together with your name and address and an email contact to Alto Sax Competition, Jazzwise magazine, Streatham Business Centre, 1 Empire Mews, Stanthorpe Road, London SW16 2BF or email your answer to competitions@jazzwise.com and market the subject line 'alto sax competition'.

The first correct answer out of the hat wins the saxophone. Strictly one entry per person. Multiple entries will be disqualified.

To see the saxophone in action, click here to see a video...

John Packer Ltd and Denis Wick have teamed up in a fantastic competition to give away £250 worth of mutes. This unique competition is really easy to enter - just click here!

To enter simply fill in your name, email and instrument. The winner willl eceive a set of Denis Wick mutes of thier choice up to a recommended retail value of £250. Any mutes can be choisen from the Denis Wick range for any instrument or instruments. Details of which can be found here.

The prize includes carriage to mainlad UK only. The prize has no nomincal value and cannot be exchanged for cash. The winner is picked at random and will be notified by email. So what are you waiting for? Enter NOW!!!

John Packer Ltd are delighted to announce that the winner of the Butlin's "Win David Thornton" competition in association with Sterling Musical Instruments is Paul Clough from the Dobcross Silver Band.

Paul has asked for David to perform with the band at one of its concerts at the world famous Dobcross Band Club and we will be publishing the dates as soon as they are arranged.

Dobcross were one of 65 bands that entered the competition to have the services of the Sterling Euphonium artist and Solo Euphonium of the Brighouse and Rastrick band and we are sure that it will be a fantastic event!

WE'RE delighted to offer the fantastic David Thornton as a prize at this year's Butlin's Mineworkers Brass Band Competition in Skegness, January 27-29.

David plays solo euphonium with the world famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band, and is highly regarded.

Anyone at the event can enter, all they need to do is fill in a form and at the end of the weekend one lucky winner will be plucked from a hat.

The prize is a day's use of David. David can:

• Give you a private lesson of 2 hours duration
• Be a guest soloist at a concert for your band (includes a rehearsal on the same day as the concert)
• Conduct a rehearsal of your band or work with a section of your band (possibly culminating in a concert on the same day)
• Give a small group masterclass
• Give a workshop at your school or for your local Music Service

The terms of the prize are:

• That David's services will only be applicable within mainland UK
• The prize equates to a maximum duration of the time required to a daytime rehearsal/workshop (starting no earlier than 10am) and an evening concert on the same day. Your requirements may be of a shorter duration.
• David is a great euphonium player, but he is only human; he cannot be used for any housework or gardening! We reserve the right to adjudicate the requirements of the prize winner.
• There is no cash equivalent (David's time is priceless!)
• It is a condition of this competition that the winning band must use the JP Musical Instruments and Sterling Musical Instruments logos in any publicity material connected to this event and be willing to have publicity material/banners/literature etc. on public view at the event itself. John Packer Ltd also reserve the right to have use of any images taken at the event.

Saxophone quartets and clarinet soloists are invited to audition for the Clarinet & Saxophone Society Competition 2011.

Prizes

Winner of each competition will be awarded £1000 and a high profile perfomance opportunity.

Rules

The competition is open to clarinettists and saxophonists between the ages of 16 and 26 (inclusive) on 27th November, 2011. Applications need to be received by 30th June, 2011.

Applications should include an audition CD recording featuring a set piece and any other works (or movements from works). The total running time should be between 13-17 minutes.

Set Pieces

The set piece to be included for saxophone quartet applications is Torke, July (Adjustable Music). The set piece to be included for solo clarinet applications is Kovacs, Hommage a Khachaturian (Edition Darok EDL 2103).

Final Round

The competition final will take place on Sunday, 27th November, at Liverpool Hope University before a public audience. Each finalist will be expected to prepare a 20-25 minute programme. Full information including further details, terms and conditions can be found at www.cassgb.org