Join a stellar line-up of international brass superstars for a festival of concerts, horn-hangouts, masterclasses and participatory events at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

*Under 18s go free with a full paying adult. {Parent/carer must fill in a consent form upon arrival }

**Individual performance tickets available on the door.

SUN 19 JAN

Side-by-Side with RBC Brass Band

Directed by Ian Porthouse with Katrina Marzella and Peter Moore
Open to all brass band instrument players of Grade 5 standard and above
9.45am - 11am, The Bradshaw Hall

Sarah Willis's Horn Hangout Live

Featuring the CBSO Horns, Katrina Marzella and Ian Porthouse
Rare chance to watch Sarah Willis, RBC’s International Chair in Brass Studies, in action in her legendary horn hangout!
11.15am - 12.15pm, Recital Hall

Connaught Brass

Lunchtime recital to include Adam’s Rib by James MacMillan and Monteverdi’s Scherzi Musicali
Fresh from their triumph in the inaugural Philip Jones Brass Quintet competition, this an opportunity to catch this thrilling young ensemble at the start of what is sure to be a major international career.
12.30pm - 1.30pm, The Bradshaw Hall

Masterclasses

An array of masterclasses to observe, including Sarah Willis, French Horn (Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra), Peter Moore, Trombone (London Symphony Orchestra), Alan Thomas, Trumpet (RBC Associate Head of Brass, CBSO, Onyx Brass, Septura), Graham Sibley, Tuba (CBSO, RBC Tutor)
1.30pm - 3pm, Workshop Rooms

Masterclasses

More opportunities to learn from the greatest players around, featuring classes from Katrina Marzella, Baritone (Black Dyke Band) and Philip Cobb, Cornet (London Symphony Orchestra)
4pm - 5.30pm, Recital Hall and Workshop 1

Massed Blow

Directed by Sarah Willis
Open to ALL, a chance to play in a large ensemble directed by Sarah Willis
5.30pm - 6.30pm, The Bradshaw Hall

Katrina Marzella

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Brass Band

Directed by Ian Porthouse, with guest soloists Philip Cobb, Katrina Marzella and Peter Moore 
Ray Farr Intrada: Ein’ Feste Burg
Peter Graham Baritone Concerto (soloist Katrina Marzella - Black Dyke Band)
Gordon Langford Rhapsody for Trombone (soloist Peter Moore - Principal Trombone, London Symphony Orchestra, ECHO Klassik young artist)
Ernest Tomlinson Cornet Concerto (soloist Philip Cobb - Principal Trumpet, London Symphony Orchestra)

With an outrageously talented line-up of global brass superstar soloists, this is a rare opportunity to hear some of the great works for solo brass and Brass Band, from the evergreen Langford Rhapsody for trombone to the rarely performed, ultra-virtuoso, Tomlinson Cornet Concerto via a wonderful new baritone concerto by Peter Graham.  With the fabulous RBC Brass Band, under the sparkling direction of Ian Porthouse, this is an unmissable concert for all brass lovers.
7pm-8.15pm The Bradshaw Hall

MON 20 JAN

Orchestral Horn Side-by-Side Masterclass

Featuring Sarah Willis and Timothy Jackson (Principal Horn, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra)
9am - 11am, Recital Hall

Onyx Brass

Sarah Willis’s Horn Hangout Live

Featuring Onyx Brass, Peter Moore and Tim Jackson
Rare chance to watch Sarah Willis, RBC’s International Chair in Brass Studies, in action in her legendary horn hangout!
12pm - 1pm, Recital Hall

Peter Moore & Joanne Sealey

Join international trombone superstar Peter Moore and RBC’s own brilliant pianist Joanne Sealey in a recital of consummate artistry and expression: Peter makes the instrument sing in a way that is truly breath-taking.
1.05pm - 2pm, Recital Hall

Brass Chamber Music Masterclass

Watch RBC’s best student groups in action under the guidance of Onyx Brass. Trade stands available both days, provided by Phil Parker, Ltd with instruments available to try!
2pm - 4.15pm, The Bradshaw Hall

Connaught Brass

Onyx Brass, Connaught Brass, RBC Student Ensemble

And introducing RBC Youth Brass

Bernstein arr. Crees West Side Story Suite (RBC Youth Brass)
Timothy Jackson Three Worlds for triple brass quintet (world première)
Simon Dobson new work for brass quintet (première)
John Adams arr. Onyx Brass Shaking and Trembling (world première of new arrangement for triple brass quintet)

The final gala concert of the inaugural Great Birmingham Brass Fest will open with the debut of a newly formed youth ensemble, featuring the best young brass players from music hubs across the West Midlands and directed by Amos Miller, Head of Brass at RBC.  It will then feature a smorgasbord of electrifying brass chamber music from Onyx Brass, described by BBC Music as “easily the classiest brass ensemble in Britain”, including several world premières, in two of which they will be joined by both Connaught Brass and a student ensemble from RBC.
7pm – 9pm, The Bradshaw Hall