Town Hall Symphony Hall, Birmingham has announced that its annual Brass Gala concert will take place online this year in partnership with 4Barsrest.

Friday not Sunday

The event, which usually takes place at the iconic Symphony Hall venue the day after the British Open Championship, will be broadcast to Facebook and YouTube on Friday 11th September at 7.00pm.

It will featuring performances by 2019 champion Cory alongside Black Dyke, cult brass heroes Mnozil Brass and the next generation of brass musicians graduating from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Lockdown recordings

Cory and Black Dyke have both recorded brand-new individual performances for the concert event during lockdown and will join forces to round things off with a digitally mastered massed-band performance.

Meanwhile, viewers can also sit back and enjoy the amazing talents of Mnozil Brass who will be premiering previously unreleased footage from their 2017 Cirque World Tour, which came to Symphony Hall in 2017.

In addition, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire have commissioned composer Ryan Linham to create a brand new composition for the brass players who have graduated this year, entitled, 'Legend of the Lockdown Leavers'.

It was also recorded during lockdown and will open the Virtual Brass Gala.

Speaking to 4BR about their contribution, Head of Brass for Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Amos Miller said: "The brass department at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is delighted to have been invited to take part in this virtual gala performance.

Whilst we are sorry not to be physically with our illustrious colleagues this year, we are hugely looking forward to being involved in the future."

Fantastic initiative

Meanwhile, 4BR Editor Iwan Fox added: "We're delighted to have been invited to partner on this year's Virtual Brass Gala.

Symphony Hall has become the annual home for the British Open for close on 25 years — an iconic, world class venue packed by brass band fans to listen to the world's finest bands.

Sadly nobody will be there to enjoy the action this year, but we're delighted to support the venues during these tough times. It's a fantastic initiative supported by world class performers, so make sure you do not miss it."

Bringing music to audiences

Speaking about the Friday night concert, Chris Proctor, Head of Programme at Town Hall Symphony Hall added: "Since 1997, our Autumn Season has started with the annual Brass weekend in September, including the British Open Championship and Brass Gala.

For the first time in over 20 years, the weekend of events is unable to take place in our venues. I'm so proud that, in partnership with 4Barsrest, we have been able to work with these brass bands and find ways to bring the music to audiences online.

The future of Birmingham's Town Hall and Symphony Hall, and our future as the music charity responsible for them, looks very different from the plans we began the year with.

Throughout this period, we remain committed to inspiring a love of live music, through performance, participation and learning across this city."

I'm so proud that, in partnership with 4Barsrest, we have been able to work with these brass bands and find ways to bring the music to audiences onlineChris Proctor, Head of Programme at Town Hall Symphony Hall

Digital broadcasts

4BR was informed that a recent survey conducted by the Music Venues Trust revealed that only 13% of venues could open with 2 metre social distancing in place, and of those the majority said it would be financially ruinous to do so due to the reduced number of attendees.

As concerts and gigs are still being cancelled as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, Town Hall Symphony Hall has continued to bring live music to the people of Birmingham and beyond.

Digital broadcasts from Town Hall and Symphony Hall in the last three months have amassed almost 200,000 views, whilst over 150 singers have joined online music making workshops.

Find out more

You can join that number by tuning in Tune in on Facebook and YouTube on Friday 11th September at 7.00pm to watch the Virtual Brass Gala.

To find out more, including how to support, Town Hall Symphony Hall's digital activities visit: www.thsh.co.uk