Australian brass band fans have already been snapping up tickets for the forthcoming visit of Grimethorpe Colliery to their shores in a few weeks time.

Touching down

The Brass in Concert champion will be making the long haul flight on the 3rd August, touching down in time to put the final touches to their opening programme for the first concert at the imposing QPAC Concert Hall in Brisbane on Thursday 6th August.

Then it's a fast paced combination of high profile concerts and long haul flights around the country — with appearances to follow from Sydney to Perth.

Invite

Grimethorpe has been invited to Australia by Andrew Kay, whose promotions company deals with many of the world's leading artistes when they tour the country — from Mnozil Brass and Wynton Marsalis to the cast of Dr Who.

He told 4BR: "Grimethorpe is the most famous brass band in the world, and I'm delighted that Dr Bob Childs and the band have accepted my invitation to tour our wonderful country.

They were a sell-out when they came to Australia in 2011 and we are hoping for the same success this year."

Happy return

It's also a happy return to the country for Director of Music Dr Robert Childs: "I'm really looking forward to it,"he said.

"I played euphonium on Grimethorpe's first tour way back in 1980, so returning as the band's conductor is a dream come true. We will be performing to approximately 16,000 people in big concert halls the length and breadth of country."

4BR will also be linking up with the band on their travels with regular updates on their progress, concert reviews and news items as they bring their unique brand of brass band entertainment to Australian fans.

Grimethorpe is the most famous brass band in the world, and I'm delighted that Dr Bob Childs and the band have accepted my invitation to tour our wonderful countryAndrew Kaye

Tour details:

Concert Hall, QPAC:
Thursday 6th August — 7.30pm
Bookings: 13 62 46 www.qtix.com.au

State Theatre, Sydney:
Friday 7th August — 7.30pm
Bookings: 1300 139 588 or www.ticketmaster.com.au

Llewellyn Hall, ANU Canberra:
Saturday 8th August — 7.30pm
Bookings: 1300 795 012 or www.ticketek.com.au

Newcastle Town Hall:
Sunday 9th August — 5.00pm
Bookings: 02 4929 1977 or www.ticketek.com.au

Hamer Hall, Melbourne:
Tuesday 11th August — 7.30pm
Bookings: 1300 182 183 or www.artscentremelbourne.com.au

Frankston Arts Centre:
Wednesday 12th August — 7.30pm
Bookings: 03 9784 1060 or www.thefac.com.au

Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart:
Thursday 13th August — 7.30pm
Bookings: 1300 795 257 tixtas.com.au

Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash:
Friday 14th August — 7.30pm
Bookings: 03 9905 1111 or www.monash.edu/mapa

Norwood Concert Hall:
Saturday 15th August — 7.30pm
Bookings: 131 246 or www.bass.net.au

Perth Concert Hall:
Sunday 16th August — 5.00pm
Bookings: 1300 795 012 or www.ticketek.com.au