RNCM Brass Band Festival at RNCM

RNCM Brass Band Festival at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Manchester, 29–30 January 2022, from £0.00 - Book now

After a year off, the RNCM Brass Band Festival is back with a two-day showcase of some of the UK’s leading brass bands, top international soloists, and in-house talent from RNCM students.

Five of the country’s most acclaimed bands will feature in the festival, all of them guaranteed to be on razor sharp form, having just competed in the re-scheduled British Open Brass Band Championships – the oldest and most prestigious contest in the banding calendar. Tredegar Town Band, Black Dyke Band, Grimethorpe Colliery Band, The WFEL Fairey Band, Brighouse and Rastrick Band are all performing. So is trombonist Peter Moore, who came to national attention in 2008 at the age of twelve when he became the youngest ever winner of the BBC Young Musician award.

Many of Britain’s finest 20th century composers are hitting major milestones in 2022, and the RNCM Brass Band Festival will pay homage to them. Sir Malcolm Arnold, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Ray Steadman-Allen’s contribution to the brass band canon will be celebrated during the course of the Festival, alongside a substantial offering of new and recent work from composers including Judith Weir, Peter Graham, Simon Dobson, Liz Lane and Errollyn Wallen.

There’ll also be a celebration of young talent. Expect a showcase from local youth brass bands, a presentation from Brass Bands England on their pioneering work with young musicians around the country, and a major contribution showcasing the skills and talents of the RNCM brass students. We also look forward to the sixth John Golland Award for young composers, which will see students from the RNCM perform works for brass ensemble, including ‘Phantasy for brass quartet’ by Golland himself and ‘Toccata, O the Blessed Lord’ by Wilfred Heaton.

All events are individually ticketed, with a 10% discount available if you book tickets for three or more events. Book now via the button below.

Part of the RNCM Early Spring Season.