NORTH EAST YOUTH BAND PREPARES FOR NATIONAL CONTEST AT SAGE GATESHEAD
Young musicians from across Sunderland and Durham will be performing in the national Brass in Concert Youth Entertainment Championship next month.
Pride of the North East – Houghton Area Youth – was formed over 40 years ago and is made up of over 40 members aged between seven to 19.
They will compete alongside six other youth bands in the championship at Sage Gateshead at 12pm on Saturday November 16. The competition is part of the weekend-long Brass in Concert Festival, which also features the Brass in Concert Championship (senior) and an evening gala concert – World of Brass.
Conducted by Brian Adams, Houghton Area Youth has enjoyed many successes at local and national competitions as well as being in demand at concerts in the local community.
Mr Adams said: “As a band we are really excited to be invited to perform against some of the best youth brass bands in the country.
“All the players are really looking forward to the day and we have been working on our programme, inspired by the local area, for a number of weeks. Being the local band, it is an honour to represent the region and we hope we do the North East proud.”
More than 350 young people will take part in the Youth Entertainment Championship. Each of the seven bands will play a 20-minute programme of music ranging from
pop to classics in colourful presentations backed with choreography. The programme of live music will be linked by former Radio 2 presenter Frank Renton, who is making his 26th appearance as compere to the festival.
As well Houghton Area Youth the bands competing for the title are Elland Silver Youth Band, Lions Youth, Macclesfield Youth, Rochdale Borough Youth, Wardle Academy (the holders and current European Development Champions) and Youth Brass 2000.
David Bennett, Secretary and Trustee to the Brass in Concert Championship, said: “The first Youth Entertainment Concert in 2018 with five bands proved to be an outstanding success with both audience and bands asking for more.
“We have been delighted with the response and that the young people will have access to the superb facilities at Sage Gateshead.”
This year’s adjudicator is Roger Argente, Head of Brass Performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Roger is a Bass Trombonist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and has appeared with the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Opera House Orchestra. Joining Roger is Bass trombonist Jayne Murrill, a member of the all-female trombone quartet Brass Apart, who have toured extensively throughout Europe, Japan and the United States. Jayne is the Music Director of East London Brass. Roger will assess Quality of Performance representing 60 per cent of the marks, whilst Jayne will judge Entertainment and Presentation offering the balance of 40 per cent.
Tickets for the Youth Entertainment Championship on Saturday 16th November are available from Sage Gateshead Box Office online at www.sagegateshead.com or 0191 443 4661
Prices: £12 & £6 (Concessions).
ENDS
For further information please contact:
David Bennett
Tel: 01295 780373 E: dbennett77@googlemail.com