BiC fringe events detailed

Brass in Concert confirms youth and education event details

The organisers of the Brass in Concert Festival have announced final details of the Arts Council England-supported youth and education events at this year’s 40th Festival. These popular events, commencing with Workshops and Taster Sessions, will once again be an integral part of the first day of the Festival’s activities. On Saturday 19 November, Workshops will be led by Philip Harper and a team of tutors from quadruple champion Cory Band, who will be joining Yamaha Baritone Artist Katrina Marzella to deliver the learning sessions. Local music teacher Laura Jackson will once again lead the Elementary Group.

At the conclusion of their Workshops, the participants will demonstrate the benefit of their learning experience in a public performance on the Sage Gateshead Concourse. Entry to this concert will be free of charge, enabling the public to hear the Workshop Band in the iconic Sage Gateshead public area. The planned programme for the Workshop Band includes: Liberty Bell (Sousa), The Pink Panther (Mancini arr. Richards), By the Cool Waters and Totem Dance from Indian Summer (Eric Ball), Can't Buy Me Love (Lennon and McCartney arr. Broadbent), Amadeus (Mozart, arr. Fernie).

Speaking on behalf of the Brass in Concert organising team, John Woods commented: “Anyone wishing to participate in the Workshop Band should sign up as soon as possible at www.brassinconcert.com/event/workshops-and-tasters/, by emailing john.woods@satcol.org or calling 07580 187974 or 01934 750700. Under Philip Harper’s inspirational leadership it promises to be a fantastic learning opportunity for players of all ages and abilities. The environment is also outstanding, with fabulous acoustics and the iconic backdrop of the River Tyne and the city skyline and notable bridges offering superb views of the historic Quayside an added benefit.”

Registration for the workshops commences at 8.45am on 19 November. Places in the Workshops cost £5.00, which includes lunch. Taster Sessions will also be taking place on the Sage Concourse between 11.00am and 1.15pm, encouraging the general public to ‘have a blow’ on a brass instrument.

John Woods added: “This promises to be a wonderful weekend festival of brass, including an exhibition that will reflect upon the 40 years since Brass in Concert started in the Rothmans works canteen in Darlington. The exhibition will profile bands, programmes, soloists and conductors, with photographs, uniforms, trophies and commentary from many of the brass band personalities involved in the event’s progressive journey.”

Saturday’s Focus on Youth and Percussion is supported by Yamaha, and Natasha Homer of Yamaha’s Band and Education Classics Division expressed her delight in supporting the Workshop and Taster events, commenting: “The youth and education events at Brass in Concert are very important in the development of the brass culture in the North East and beyond. Yamaha is delighted to be involved yet again and wish Brass in Concert a successful 40th Festival at Sage Gateshead in November.”

In addition, this year’s Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Champion Youth Brass 2000, conducted by Chris Jeans, will perform its winning contest programme in a free concert on the Sage Concourse at 2.30pm on Saturday. Later that evening James Morrison will be in concert with Black Dyke Band to conclude an action-packed day one.

John Woods concluded: “Brass in Concert also acknowledges the support of Arts Council England, Joicey Trust and Catherine Cookson Trust in staging these Education events.”

Tickets for World of Brass in Concert, featuring James Morrison and Black Dyke Band on Saturday 19 November, priced £24.00, £18.00 and £10.00, and the Brass in Concert Championships on Sunday 20 November, priced £30.00, £22.00 and £12.00, are available from the Sage Gateshead Box Office on 0191 443 4661 or www.sagegateshead.com 


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