Brass in Concert on course for record ticket sales

At a time where concert audiences are booking later and making more last-minute attendance decisions, the Brass in Concert Championship has proved its ongoing popularity by selling the majority of its seats in record time.

The annual event, now in its 45th year, is to be held at Sage Gateshead on Saturday 19 November in association with Yamaha, Banks Group and World of Brass. With a month and a half to go until the event, and 80% of contest tickets having already been sold, organisers have therefore issued a reminder to those interested in attending to purchase tickets as soon as possible, in anticipation of a potential sell-out.

Speaking on behalf of the organising team, Brass in Concert CEO Nigel Stevens commented: “The enthusiastic take-up we are experiencing this year is largely down to the quality of the 12 bands that will be competing for the title. The terrific coverage offered by the World of Brass livestream in recent years has also created greater awareness of the event through stand-out performances of the bands taking part. We are anticipating a thrilling day of music-making for the audience, both in Gateshead and online around the banding world.”

The full schedule can be found on the Brass in Concert website, with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery ticking off proceedings at 11:00am, and Grimethorpe Colliery Band closing the contest around 7:20pm.

A night of celebration

The change of event day from its traditional Sunday slot to a Saturday has also received significant appreciation from competing bands and audiences. Nigel Stevens continued: “The change of day in 2021 helped to create a more social atmosphere than in previous years and this time, for the first time in Brass in Concert history, there will also be a party for players and audience members at the conclusion of the results ceremony. Backstage Brass will entertain those present in the concourse area of the Sage, performing a range of classic and modern pop tunes until the late evening. A bar extension has been secured at the venue to ensure the evening can be enjoyed to the maximum, with last orders at 11:30pm.

“We have also come to an agreement with Sage Gateshead to provide the performing musicians on the day with their first drink free of charge at the party (selected drinks only!) as a ‘thank you’ to all who take part in the contest, and we look forward to celebrating the event’s success with as many competitors and audience members as possible.”

Change to adjudication line-up

The Entertainment and Presentation element of the event will now be judged by Jo Towler, alongside Kevin Hathway. Jo is the CEO of Music in the Round, the leading promoter of chamber music in the UK, and was previously Executive Director of Candoco Dance Company, an organisation focussed on inclusion, and Executive Director of Protein Dance. Jo has also worked at the London Mozart Players, the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Royal Over-Seas League Annual Music Competition. She replaces Liz Lane, who has stood down this year due to her developing work with bands who will participate in the contest.

Liz Lane commented: “I was honoured to be invited as an adjudicator at this year's Brass in Concert and it is with sadness that I feel I should now stand down due to perceived conflicts of interest. I do, of course, have no involvement with any band for their contest preparation and feel completely confident that I would deliver an impartial adjudication but I would not want my role as an adjudicator to detract from the smooth running and reputation of the event. I wish all the bands, conductors, adjudicators and organising team the very best for a hugely successful 45th edition of the Brass in Concert Championship and will follow avidly as I have in previous years.”

Tickets

General ticket sales for the Brass in Concert Championship are open on the Sage Gateshead website.

Further information on the event, competing bands and adjudicators can also be found on the Brass in Concert website.

Brass in concert is grateful for the generous support of Banks Group and Yamaha and is delivered in partnership with World of Brass.