Details have been announced of workshops and taster sessions at the forthcoming Brass in Concert Festival at Sage Gateshead on Saturday 14th November.

Tutors

Russell Gray will lead a group of tutors from the Yamaha Neo Ensemble who will pass on their expertise to willing participants.

The event will culminate in a free public performance on the Sage Concourse, where the workshop band will present a short concert with music to include Alan Fernie's 'Prismatic Light', 'Sunrise over Blue Ridge' by Dan Price and the 'March' from Respighi's 'Pines of Rome'.

Registration

Interest is expected to be very high with registration open from 8.15am for a 9.00am start.

The list of tutors reads as follows:
Russell Gray (Musical Director and cornet)
Stanley Westh (cornet)
George Thackray (tenor horn)
Margaret Antrobus (baritone)
Steve Walsh (euphonium)
Armin Bachmann (trombone)
Eirik Gjerdevik (EEb bass)
Simon Gresswell (BBb bass)
Craig Farr (percussion)
Laura Jackson will once again be leading the elementary group.

Taster sessions

Taster sessions will also be taking place on the Concourse of the Sage between 11.00am and 1.15pm, encouraging the general public to 'have a go' on a brass instrument.

Anne Crookston will lead the sessions with support from Dave Coles, Stuart Ralph and Gary Hutchinson.

Opportunities

Brass in Concert Director John Woods commented: "Brass in Concert continues to present these fringe events to support its mission to offer opportunities through music to young people and advance their education and training.

We also aim to facilitate public performances of brass bands and youth groups and raise the awareness of the universal appeal of music."

Yamaha Masterclass

The Yamaha group will also present a masterclass in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall at 4.30pm on the Saturday. Admission is free and tickets can be collected from the box office on the day.

The group will also present a short concert before the Brass in Concert Championship results and awards ceremony on the Sunday.

Style

John Woods added: "Brass in Concert continues to present these fringe events to support its mission and this year we are planning to present this in a slightly different style. If you want to be part of that then be at Sage Gateshead on 14th-15th November!"

Yamaha is dedicated to the brass band movement and proud to support the Brass in Concert Championship, the world's premier entertainment contestYamaha representative Stephen Adcock

Proud supporters

Yamaha representative Stephen Adcock expressed delight in Yamaha's support of this focus on youth and exploring new boundaries, telling 4BR: "Yamaha is dedicated to the brass band movement and proud to support the Brass in Concert Championship, the world's premier entertainment contest.

A number of our European dealers will be attending the event to experience this two-day celebration of all that is great about brass bands.

Our support for Brass in Concert and the appearance of the Yamaha Neo Ensemble shows our commitment to secure the future of the British brass band movement and music education in general."

Application forms

Application forms can be obtained from Tim Mutum on 01473 683719 and 07873 487049, by emailing tim.mutum@ntlworld.com or from www.brassinconcert.com

Brass in Concert tickets

Tickets for the Brass in Concert Championship on Sunday 15th November (priced at £30.00, £22.00 and £12.00) and World of Brass Concert on Saturday 14th November (£24.00, £18.00 and £10.00) are available at www.sagegateshead.com or by calling 0191 443 4661