Outstanding line-up as Brass in Concert makes Saturday return

The organisers of the Brass in Concert Festival have announced details of this year’s event, to be held at Sage Gateshead in association with Yamaha, Banks Group and World of Brass. In a break from tradition, the main events will all be held on Saturday 20 November, with the customary gala concert being rested from this year’s schedule due to Covid-19 mitigation.

The Brass in Concert Championship, featuring ten leading bands performing 23-minute programmes and introduced by the inimitable Frank Renton, will start at the later-than-normal time of 12.50pm, with the results announcement scheduled for 9.30pm. The participants are:

· Brighouse and Rastrick

· Carlton Main Frickley Colliery

· Cory

· Flowers

· Foden’s

· Friary

· Grimethorpe Colliery

· Hammonds Saltaire

· NASUWT Riverside

· Tredegar

Brass in Concert Chairman, David Bennett, commented: “We are delighted to be able to announce such an outstanding line-up of leading bands for our return to Sage Gateshead in November. The Pandemic has obviously caused major problems for everyone involved in the event, but we hope that the changes to the timetable we have introduced this year will make it easier and more economical for anyone planning to attend.”

Proceedings will get underway at 9.00am with the five competitors in Youth Brass in Concert, an event that has grown in popularity since it was introduced in 2018.

David Bennett continued: “The Pandemic has obviously affected bands at all levels, but despite some of our previous high-achieving groups being understandably unavailable due to lack of rehearsal opportunities, we also have a terrific line-up for Youth Brass in Concert this year. We can promise that it will be a real bonus for anyone attending on the Saturday of Brass in Concert, perhaps for the first time, to have a chance to hear the fabulous young musicians we will be presenting.”

The line-up for Youth Brass in Concert is:

· Elland Silver Youth

· Enderby Youth

· Houghton Area Youth

· Lions Youth Brass

· Youth Brass 2000

Tickets for the 2021 Brass in Concert Festival, priced £12 (Youth Brass in Concert), £17, £27 and £35 (Brass in Concert Championship) are available from 10am today Friday 11 June by visiting the Sage Gateshead website or emailing [email protected] or calling the Box Office on 0191 443 4661. Booking fees will apply.

David Bennett concluded: “Having missed out on last year’s event, tickets for 2021 are sure to sell quickly, but we are aware that some may be reticent in committing due to possible Covid concerns. Public safety will obviously be our top priority and we are able to assure our loyal customers that all tickets will be refunded if the event has to be cancelled due to Covid. However, we are confident that the situation will be resolved and that we can look forward to welcoming everyone back to Gateshead in November for yet another wonderful Brass in Concert event!”