The Brass in Concert Championship is to present its third one-day Focus on Brass and Percussion on 15th November, culminating in a concert on the venue’s Concourse to welcome the audience for Rochdale Borough Youth Band’s concert with international percussion soloist, Simone Rebello.

Focus

The Focus on Brass and Percussion will also act as a curtain raiser to the World of Brass in Concert the same evening and to the main entertainment Championship the following day.

Marvellous opportunity

Speaking enthusiastically about the ‘Focus Day’, Alan Hope of the organising team, commented: "These workshops are completely free-of-charge to all-comers, and represent a marvellous opportunity for players of every age and level to receive tuition from a host of top and very talented players."

He added: "We plan to make special tuition arrangements to help elementary players. Our stated aim is to improve brass playing at all levels and there is no geographic limit on candidates for these workshops. We will be delighted to receive as many delegates as the facilities at The Sage can accommodate."

These workshops are completely free-of-charge to all-comers, and represent a marvellous opportunity for players of every age and level to receive tuition from a host of top and very talented playersAlan Hope

Taster Sessions

Supported for the third year by the Shaw Trust and designed to encourage young brass players, the workshops and ‘taster sessions’, will culminate in a half-hour concert on the Concourse of The Sage to greet the arrival of the audience for Rochdale’s concert, and will be led by Richard Marshall, Derick Kane and Joe Cook, Brett Baker, Sheona White and Simone Rebello.

Format

The format for the Brass and Percussion Day is as follows:

Saturday 15th November:
9.30am — 12.30pm: Brass and Percussion Focus Day
12.30 — 1.15pm: Lunch
1.15pm to 2.00pm: Full band rehearsal
2.15pm — 2.45pm: Concourse concert by the Brass and Percussion Focus Group
3.00pm: Rochdale Borough Youth Band Concert with guest soloist, Simone Rebello (percussion)
7.30pm: World of Brass in Concert starring Brighouse and Rastrick and Stavanger bands

free of charge

Workshop delegates may attend the Rochdale Youth Band Concert in Hall 1 free-of-charge and Rochdale Borough Youth Band will give a fanfare at the Awards Ceremony of the main Brass in Concert Championship on the Sunday.

Niki Bland advised: "Those interested in attending the workshops should let the co-organiser of the ‘Focus Day’, Alan Hope, have their names and contact details, so that we know who is attending.

Contact

For a place on the Brass and Percussion Focus Day, please contact either:
Alan Hope:
Telephone: 0191 416 1008
Mobile: 0776 5656729
E-mail: ahope.brass@tiscali.co.uk