The World Cup Of Brass

The draw for the world cup may be a distant memory now, but in the world of brass band music there was an equally important draw held at Sage Gateshead late last week – the draw to determine the playing order for the 38th Brass in Concert Championship. Every third weekend in November, Sage Gateshead is alive with the sound of brass as it hosts the world-famous Brass in Concert Championship (16 November) which features many of the finest bands in the land (including reigning Brass in Concert champion and world number one ranked band Cory and fifteen times Brass in Concert champion Grimethorpe Colliery). For the first time Woodfalls Band joins the line up along with Foden’s, Tredegar Town, Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Leyland, Virtuosi GUS, Fairey and Flowers. The Championship also attracts international bands, which this year includes Dutch champion Brass Band Schoonhoven and, from the USA, Brass Band of Central Florida. The Championship started as a one-off concert in 1977 and since then the draw has become an eagerly anticipated part of the event. In previous years it has been made by the likes of Tony Blair, Kevin Keegan and André Previn – and this year the championships are part of Sage Gateshead’s 10th birthday celebrations. Grimethorpe Colliery and Cory bands will provide the ‘curtain-raiser’ for the championships with their appearance in the World of Brass Gala Concert on the Saturday evening (15 November). Both bands have delighted sold out audiences all over the world and demand for tickets is likely to be high. In addition to the concerts a range of brass and percussion workshops and taster sessions led by well known brass instrumentalists are on offer as well as performances on the Concourse. Trevor Caffull, Chairman of the Brass in Concert Championship said: “Since moving to Sage Gateshead from its former home in Spennymoor Leisure Centre in 2005, Brass in Concert is estimated to have generated in excess of £3,000,000 for the local economy. We are delighted that it has also cemented its position as the leading event of its type in this world-class venue.” He continued: "Brass in Concert has grown to become an outstanding two-day festival which includes taster sessions, workshops for over 100 young people, concourse performances by the Workshop Band and the Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Champion, and a Saturday evening gala concert. This year will also include a Coffee Concert by the Dutch Champion Brass Band Schoonhoven and a Swing Masterclass by members of the Brass Band of Central Florida, which will be making its third visit to Brass in Concert." World of Brass in Concert takes place Saturday 15 November, Hall One, 7pm. Tickets are priced £12, £18 and £22. The 38th Brass in Concert Championship takes place Sunday 16 November, Hall One, 9am. Tickets are priced £15, £22 and £28 and can be booked in person at Sage Gateshead Ticket Office, by calling 0191 443 4661 or online at sagegateshead.com