*
banner

City of Bristol weaves Sonic Threads to Elevate artistic scope

The City of Bristol Band will link in artistic collaboration with the Sonic Threads Duo to bring the music of east and west together as part of BBE's Elevate programme.

City of Bristol
  The partnership is the third project that has been initiated by BBE under its award winning Elevate programme.

Brass Bands England has confirmed that following a third round of applications the City of Bristol Band will take part in its award-winning 'Elevate' programme.

The collaborative initiative brings together brass bands with artists from a wide range of different communities to work together over a nine-month partnership.

Eastern and Western

City of Bristol is the current West of England First Section Area champion and will work with Sonic Threads Duo — innovative artists whose mission is to merge Eastern and Western influences to create unique and powerful performances.

This third round follows on from the critical success of the first two projects.

They saw Freckleton Band link up with director, Jamie Sophia Fletcher to produce a celebration of brass bands, drag cabaret and queer culture, whilst Weymouth Concert Brass recently connected with composer Rebecca Denniff to produce a compositional exploration of the medicinal plants and herbs of the Isle of Portland.

Sonic Threads

Sonic Threads is an acclaimed duo renowned for their innovative and daring musical outlook.

Supriya Nagarajan is a composer and singer who creates rich, dreamy soundscapes that combines her Indian musical background with contemporary classical music.

Harpist Lucy Nolan uses a combination of rag inspired music, free improvisation and electronics which weave a unique sonic tapestry drawing on influences from jazz, Carnatic and Western Classical music.

The idea is that together we'll create something with a distinct sound that transcends cultural and genre boundaries — we're excited at the prospect of these different musical worlds colliding!Sonic Threads

Looking forward

Speaking about their involvement, the duo said: "We are looking forward to creating and performing a new piece with City of Bristol Band.

We plan to start by workshopping composition ideas based upon improvisation and movement, whilst also exploring the use of airflow and brass sounds."

They added: "The idea is that together we'll create something with a distinct sound that transcends cultural and genre boundaries — we're excited at the prospect of these different musical worlds colliding!"

Community outcome

In response, City of Bristol MD, Craig Roberts, said: "The band have a heritage of collaboration, from performing beneath the wings of Concorde at Aerospace Bristol, to playing with a massed choir at Bristol Cathedral last year.

We're really looking forward to including all parts of the organisation in this project, including our training band, and bringing the outcome into our community through both workshops and performances."

Round 4 applications

Applications for Round 4 of Elevate will open on Monday 9th September via the Elevate page on the Brass Bands England website.

To find out more go to: https://www.bbe.org.uk/elevate

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Manager Musikklag

World Rankings — April update

April 26 • There has been significant movement in the latest rankings release, driven by a large number of contests over the last few months resulting in notable shifts and changes in the standings


Fodens

Foden's to preview Euro challenge

April 26 • England's representatives in Stavanger will be giving their supporters a preview of their musical challenge.


Hannah Peel

Radio: Brass Banding with Hannah Peel

April 25 • The first episode of the much anticipated new Radio 3 brass band series starts on Sunday with a musical trip to Norway...


Music

Own choice works revealed for Stavanger

April 25 • A wide ranging selection of major test-piece works will be performed in Stavanger.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Sunday 27 April • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby In Ashfield NG17 8LA


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 4 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Friday 9 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Dobcross Silver Band

April 24 • Great opportunity for a PERCUSSIONIST to join this already talented section in what is already a band with a full brass section. We are looking to enhance our percussion section as we prepare for Nationals in September . Enjoyable playing and social band!


Hathersage Band

April 24 • SECOND TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving non-contesting community band. We enjoy making music and have a comprehensive gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Chinnor Silver

April 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are recommencing rehearsals on 28th Monday at 11am in our bandroom and we would love you to join us.. We welcome players of all abilities who just fancy a friendly fun blow with cake and coffee thrown in.. Its all free so join us.


Lt Col David Barringer MBE

BMus (Hons)
Conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd