Details revealed for BIC 2018
For the 42nd Brass in Concert Festival, held in association with Yamaha, Banks Group and British Bandsman, we announce an exciting line-up of events for the 2018 event, to be held at Sage Gateshead on the weekend of 17-18 November. In addition to an impressive international band line-up in the Brass in Concert Championship and a Sinatra-themed gala concert featuring Foden’s and high-profile vocalist Matt Ford, a new event for youth bands will take place on the Saturday afternoon.
Due to other commitments during 2018, the reigning champion, Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag, will not defend the title it won last year, but Siddis Brass runner-up and 2011 European Champion Manger Musikklag will line up in its place against 11 other challengers. Two bands from the USA – US Open Champion Atlantic Brass Band and 2017 Brass in Concert runner-up Fountain City – will complete the international contingent in the contest, while Scottish Champion Whitburn will return for the first time since 2013.
The full line-up is:
Atlantic Brass Band
Brighouse and Rastrick
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
Cory
Flowers
Foden’s
Fountain City
Grimethorpe Colliery
Manger Musikklag
Reg Vardy
Virtuosi GUS
Whitburn
Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Brass in Concert Chairman John Woods commented: “We are delighted that the 42nd Brass in Concert Championship will feature such an excellent line-up and we will be especially pleased to be joined by three outstanding bands from overseas in addition to world number one Cory, National Champion Brighouse and Rastrick and seven other great bands from the UK. Saturday at the Brass in Concert Festival is now also becoming unmissable for all fans of brass music and we are pleased to reveal our very first Youth Brass in Concert Championship, which will take place in Sage One during Saturday afternoon. The Tasters and Education events will continue as previously, while Foden’s and Matt Ford will provide the entertainment at the World of Brass in Concert event in the evening (7.00pm). Anyone intending to buy tickets should do so very soon, as we expect this high-profile event to sell very quickly.”
Commenting on the gala concert, John Woods continued: “Matt Ford is widely regarded as the finest big band singer in the UK and has performed with the Hallé, Philharmonia, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony, BBC and RTE Concert orchestras, as well as the BBC Big Band and Syd Lawrence Orchestra. He works regularly with acclaimed conductor John Wilson, making multiple appearances at the BBC Proms and touring the UK with the John Wilson Orchestra. He has recently performed along with Foden’s Band in a number of very successful concerts so we are delighted to secure this growing partnership for this year’s World of Brass in Concert event.”
John Woods concluded by introducing the new youth event: “We have invited six leading youth bands to compete in the inaugural Youth Brass in Concert Championship. The bands will perform a 20-minute own-choice entertainment set and the format will largely mirror the senior event on Sunday, competing for a first prize of £1,000. The band placed second will receive £500 and all other bands will receive £250. A band Information pack and rules are in preparation, but bands have already received an outline of the rules. The addition of this event is as much about experience opportunity and education as outlined in our Mission Statement and I couldn’t believe the enthusiasm and interest that was out there when I started making a few enquires during late January. In just one week we moved from an idea to a confirmed line up and everything in between!”
The competing bands are:
Elland Silver Youth
Houghton Area Youth
Rochdale Borough Youth
Scottish Borders Youth
Wardle Academy Youth
Youth Brass 2000
Tickets for Youth Brass in Concert on Saturday 17 November are available from Sage Gateshead Ticket Office on 0191 443 4661 or online at www.sagegateshead.com, priced £10.00 and £5 (concessions). Tickets for World of Brass in Concert featuring Foden’s and Matt Ford are £24.00, £18.00 and £10.00, and Tickets for the Brass in Concert Championship on Sunday 18 November are £30.00, £22.00 and £12.00. Booking fees may apply.
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