BBC Big Band Photo courtesy of BRASS Festival

Durham’s BRASS Festival is in its eleventh year, but this year has a new addition:

For the first time, a Big Band Summer School run alongside the festival from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 July.

There will  be three bands: youth (up to 22 years), intermediate, and advanced, and applications are welcome from players of big band instruments of Grade 6 standard and above – there is no official closing date in the documentation but the organizers are recommending early application.

According to the press release, “the festival sets out to change perceptions about brass music and develop new audiences through a focus on new commissions and collaborative work, bringing together brass musicians, actors, theater makers, dancers, and technology.”

This year’s program includes a concert by the BBC Big Band dedicated to Dizzy Gillespie and the great big band leaders on, 13th July. The concerts are focused on the Gala Theatre and Durham Cathedral.

Led by American jazz trombonist Jiggs Whigham and members of the BBC Big Band, this summer school will focus on the music of the great brass big band leaders and is open to players of all ages and stages. The Summer School will provide musicians with the opportunity to work with director and trombonist Jiggs Whigham, lead trumpet Martin Shaw plus the rhythm section of Robin Aspland (piano), Jeremy Brown (bass) and Tom Gordon (drums).

In addition to the big band workshops, there will also be an opportunity to join the rhythm section, other course members, and visiting musicians, in two Big BRASS Jams as part of the Festival Fringe.

Durham BRASS Festival is presented by Durham County Council and Arts Council England

LINK: Big Band Summer School Applications
LINK: BRASS Festival Events