Tredegar will aim to claim a first Brass in Concert title at Sage Gateshead on Sunday (November 19th) by showcasing their renowned reputation for breaking artistic boundaries.

Their 23 minute programme (above) has been inspired by people, artists and even organisations who, like the band, have dared to try something different.

Passion and belief

And as it says on the specially produced scores for the adjudicators, it celebrates those ‘...imbued with talent, passion and belief, and the vision they possessed in challenging and breaking the boundaries of perceived norms - collaborating to successfully change views and understandings, to overcome ingrained traditions and prejudice, exploitation and even the threat of annihilation.’

The band has once again looked far and wide to bring the concept to the contest stage, with music ranging from Eric Coates’ famous war time radio march, ‘Calling All Workers’, to specially commissioned arrangements of works by Astor Piazzolla and Alexander Dargomyzhsky.

Special feature

A special feature will see the band perform the atmospheric ‘Ivory Ghosts’ by Gavin Higgins aided by the talents of two brilliant young dancers from the Rambert Ballet - 19 year old Hayley Walker and 20 year old Scott Knight.

A special feature will see the band perform the atmospheric ‘Ivory Ghosts’ by Gavin Higgins aided by the talents of two brilliant young dancers from the Rambert Ballet - 19 year old Hayley Walker and 20 year old Scott Knight.

Tredegar worked with Rambert on the critically acclaimed ‘Dark Arteries’ ballet and are delighted to have been able to offer the opportunity to the students at such a high profile contest event.

Fantastic finale

Meanwhile, Dewi Griffiths will pay tribute to the great Arturo Sandoval with his flugel/trumpet rendition of ‘A Mis Abuelos’ as he seeks a third ‘Best Principal Cornet’ award at the contest, whilst Young Composer in Residence, Daniel Hall has provided a fantastic finale with his ‘Rainbow Connections’.

The piece brings together the iconic ‘Wizard of Oz’ song with a touch of ‘The Muppets’, a classic brass band march and a snippet from a much loved 1970s children’s programme!

Now that certainly lives up to ‘Breaking Boundaries’ title!