BiC reveals 2019 line-up
The organisers of the 43rd Brass in Concert Festival, held in association with Yamaha, Banks Group and British Bandsman, have announced an exciting line-up for their 2019 event, to be held at Sage Gateshead on the weekend of 16-17 November. In addition to an impressive international band line-up in the Brass in Concert Championship and a ‘Classic Brass’ gala concert featuring Brighouse and Rastrick with euphonium virtuoso David Childs, seven youth bands will entertain in the second Youth Brass in Concert Championship.
Dutch contender, Brass Band Schoonhoven, will make a welcome return while the new French champion, Hautes-de-France will make its debut at Gateshead under Luc Vertommen. The North East is well represented, with Grand Shield winner NASUWT Riverside also making its Brass in Concert debut, joining regional champion City of Hull (last appearing in 2015) and Reg Vardy, making a record 40th appearance at the leading brass band entertainment event.
The full competitive line-up is:
Brighouse and Rastrick
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
City of Hull
Cory
Flowers
Friary
Hammonds Saltaire
Hauts-de-France
NASUWT Riverside
Reg Vardy
Schoonhoven
Tredegar
Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Brass in Concert Chairman, John Woods, commented: “We are delighted that the 43rd Brass in Concert Championship will feature such an excellent line-up and we will be especially pleased to be joined by two outstanding bands from France and Netherlands in addition to European and defending Brass in Concert champion Cory, 2017 National Champion Brighouse and Rastrick and eight other great bands from the UK, all introduced for the 26th time by the inimitable Frank Renton!”
John Woods continued: “Saturday at the Brass in Concert Festival is now also becoming unmissable for all fans of brass music and we are pleased to present the second Youth Brass in Concert Championship, which will take place in Sage One during the Saturday afternoon. Six bands have already accepted invitations and we are awaiting confirmation of the seventh before making the draw for both contests. The Tasters and Workshops will continue as previously, while Brighouse and Rastrick and guest soloist David Childs will provide the entertainment at the World of Brass in Concert event in the evening (7.30pm). Anyone intending to buy tickets should do so very soon, as we expect this high-profile concert to be very popular.”
Commenting on the Youth Brass in Concert, John Woods concluded: “The bands, which will compete for a first prize of £1,000, will perform a 20-minute own-choice entertainment set, with the format largely mirroring that of the Sunday contest. The band placed second will receive £500 and all other bands will receive £250. This event is as much about experience, opportunity, inclusion and education as the battle for awards, but there will no doubt be an electric and colourful atmosphere created by every one of these bands. Those fortunate enough to attend last year’s inaugural Youth Brass in Concert Championship will no doubt have been at the front of the queue for tickets this time!”
Further announcements regarding the adjudicators and the draw for order of play will be made in the next few weeks.
Tickets for Youth Brass in Concert on Saturday 16 November are available from Sage Gateshead Ticket Office on 0191 443 4661 or online at www.sagegateshead.com, priced £12 and £6 (concessions) Youth Entertainment Championships. Tickets for World of Brass in Concert featuring Brighouse and Rastrick and David Childs are £27, £18 and £10, and Tickets for the Brass in Concert Championship on Sunday 17 November are £33, £25 and £15. Booking fees will apply. Book your seat here:
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