British Bandsman magazine has announced that they will be promoting a new concert on the eve of the British Open Championship in Birmingham this year.

Open set work

Reigning champion Tredegar will perform a wide-ranging selection of repertoire under the direction of Ian Porthouse, including a performance of the set work, ‘Vita Aeterna Variations’ by Alexander Comitas.

Pre-contest entertainment

British Bandsman Editor Kenneth Crookston told 4BR: "We are thrilled to be able to announce this new venture, which will feature in Tredegar and Ian Porthouse — a combination that has emerged in recent years as one of the undoubted stars of the current banding movement.

We also know they will provide exhilarating pre-contest entertainment for the hundreds of visitors we expect to be in Birmingham for the British Open itself."

Musical prelude

He continued: "The concert will take place in the Adrian Boult Hall of Birmingham Conservatoire — just a very short walk from Symphony Hall and central to many of the hotels and restaurants that banding aficionados frequent for the contest weekend.

As the number two ranked band in the world, and with the band’s reputation for innovative programming which has been evident at the Brass in Concert Championship in recent years, I believe this will be a great musical prelude to the world famous contest."

Vita Aeterna Variations

Referring to Tredegar’s preparations for the defence of its British Open title, Kenneth Crookston concluded: "The concert will also provide an opportunity for visitors to familiarise themselves with the test-piece, ‘Vita Aeterna Variations’ by Alexander Comitas, which the defending champion is sure to have in great shape as it aims to win a third title since 2010.

It promises to be a great event and a fine addition to what has long been established as one of brass banding’s most attractive weekends."

Thrilled

Tredegar Band President, Iwan Fox was delighted that the contest weekend will now have another added attraction to draw in brass band lovers from all over the world:

"We are thrilled to support this initiative from British Bandsman and especially pleased to be the first band to be asked to present a concert at the Adrian Boult Hall as part of what it is hoped becomes an annual event.

Tredegar has come a long way in the past few years in terms of raising our profile and achieving contesting success, but this event will also give us a platform to show those less familiar with our concert work how much more there is to the band than winning major contests!"

The concert will also provide an opportunity for visitors to familiarise themselves with the test-piece, ‘Vita Aeterna Variations’ by Alexander ComitasKenneth Crookston

Tickets

Tickets (priced £14.95) for the concert, which will take place at the Adrian Boult Hall of Birmingham Conservatoire at 7.30pm on Friday 5th September, are available now from www.birmingham-box.co.uk/event/tredegar-town-band-in-concert/ or by calling the Box Office on 0121 245 4455.