I've just read an item on the Brass Band World website giving the line-up for the Open, including an invitation to the American champions, Illinois Brass Band:
http://www.brassbandworld.com/
Bands invited to compete at the 151st British Open Brass Band Championship on September 13, 2003 are:
Besses o'th' Barn, Black Dyke, Brighouse & Rastrick, Buy As You View Cory, Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Cwmaman Institute Silver (Tower Colliery), Ever Ready, Foden's Richardson, Illinois Brass Band (USA), Kirkintillock, Leyland, Scottish Co-op, Travelsphere Holidays, Tredegar, Whitburn, The Fairey Band, Yorkshire Building Society and Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel
http://www.brassbandworld.com/
Bands invited to compete at the 151st British Open Brass Band Championship on September 13, 2003 are:
Besses o'th' Barn, Black Dyke, Brighouse & Rastrick, Buy As You View Cory, Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Cwmaman Institute Silver (Tower Colliery), Ever Ready, Foden's Richardson, Illinois Brass Band (USA), Kirkintillock, Leyland, Scottish Co-op, Travelsphere Holidays, Tredegar, Whitburn, The Fairey Band, Yorkshire Building Society and Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel