The organisers of the Brass in Concert Festival, to be held at Sage Gateshead on the weekend of 19th-20th November in association with Yamaha, Banks Group and British Bandsman, have confirmed details of the international themed events that are to be staged.

International trio

In addition to the established Youth and Education events on the Saturday, the trio of overseas competitors will be showcased, with the 2015 US Open Champion Dublin Silver Band kicking off events in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall at 11.00am with a programme celebrating its banding roots.

Newly-crowned Dutch Champion Brass Band Schoonhoven will occupy the same venue for an entertaining 'Coffee Concert' at 3.45pm, while innovative Norwegian visitors Stavanger will perform on the Sage Gateshead Concourse at 5.00pm.

All events will last around 45 minutes and are free of charge. There will be a limited availability of tickets for the Northern Rock venue so anyone wishing to attend is advised to arrive early.

Wonderful celebration

Brass in Concert spokesperson, John Woods told 4BR: "These features will add to a wonderful celebration of 40 years of Brass in Concert. With performances during the day from three very different international groups plus Philip Harper's Workshop Band and the remarkable Youth Brass 2000, it promises to be an unforgettable day.

We look forward to welcoming all of our international guests to Sage Gateshead and hope that banding enthusiasts from all over the UK will join us for this very special event."

Morrison and Black Dyke in concert

Saturday evening's World of Brass in Concert will feature guest soloist James Morrison alongside Black Dyke in a programme that will include '633 Squadron', 'The Final Voyage', 'Sweet Georgia Brown', 'We've Only Just Begun', 'Nobody Does it Better', 'Symphony of Scarlet and Gold', 'Enter the Galaxies', 'Hymn to the Fallen', 'Things Ain't What they used to Be', 'What a Wonderful World, 'Basin Street Blues' and 'To Boldly Go'.

John added: "We last saw and heard the 'Wizard of Oz' James Morrison at British Bandsman's 125th Anniversary Concert in 2012 and anyone fortunate to be present in Birmingham that day will recall a phenomenal performance from this remarkable musician.

His appearance at Brass in Concert with Black Dyke will see the reuniting of a partnership that has thrilled audiences over the past two decades and the result promises to be as spectacular as ever!"

We look forward to welcoming all of our international guests to Sage Gateshead and hope that banding enthusiasts from all over the UK will join us for this very special eventBiC spokesperson, John Woods

Tickets:

Tickets for the World of Brass in Concert, featuring James Morrison and Black Dyke on Saturday 19th November are priced at £24.00, £18.00 and £10.00.

The Brass in Concert Championships on Sunday 20th November are priced at £30.00, £22.00 and £12.00, and are available from Sage Gateshead Box Office on 0191 443 4661 or www.sagegateshead.com