Brass band music will form a central part of one of Europe’s foremost festivals of electronic music and sound next month.

Cutting edge

The Salford Sonic Fusion Festival celebrates cutting-edge international explorations in contemporary music from across the globe, blurring the boundaries between avant-garde classical, experimental electronic popular and improvised music.

According to ‘The Quietus’ publication it is, ‘one of Europe’s most engaging celebrations of electronic music and sound’ with the festival presenting four days of a wide variety of sonic experiences: from sound immersive installations and sound-art, to audio-visual and interactive live works with live performers — including many UK and world premieres.

New works

A spokesperson told 4BR: “These new works will be allowed to resonate alongside rather older, more historic experimental music, creating an interesting counterpoint and context for musical innovation.”

Brass band music will be featured in a special concert on Sunday February 22nd directed by Dr. Brett Baker.

Compositions

The programme will contain several pieces from the most recent Salford International Composers Competition, some arrangements from the Celebrated Graduation Band of 2015, premieres from both Alumni Composer Aaron Wolfe and the popular Dr. Richard Rock, as well as Will Gregory of Goldfrapp fame. The well known bass trombonist Toby Bannan and rising euphonium star Harry Healey will be featured soloists.

The symposium theme for the festival is ‘Zoomusicology, bio-acoustics and the human muse’ and will also feature many notable international speakers.

These new works will be allowed to resonate alongside rather older, more historic experimental music, creating an interesting counterpoint and context for musical innovationFestival spokesperson

Climax

The festival will close with the bill being shared by the Adelphi Contemporary Music Group, the Oldham Contemporary Music Group, International Nothing and DJ sets from Freya Mitchell, and Steve Hellier. The climax of the evening will be a set from Zufallig (ex-Death in Vegas).

Information and full programme details of performance times and venues will be available from February 2015.