Brass Factor a sell-out at Picturedrome
gramme of his own works. He’ll be departing from his previous norm of re-working traditional folk songs to present nine wholly original compositions supported – and sometimes challenged – by a cast of hand-picked improvising musicians in what promises to be a unique one-off event for hcmf//’s final evening.
String quarter Quatuor Bozzini will be teaming up with pianist Philip Thomas for a concert featuring two world premiere performances of works by UK composers Bryn Harrison and Mary Bellamy. This will be at noon on Tuesday, November 21, at St Paul’s Hall at the University of Huddersfield.
The London Sinfonietta – 50 this year – has been a regular visitor to hcmf// over four decades and its programme this year brings together some of its most iconic commissions by Xenakis, Birtwistle and Colin Matthews.
The concert culminates in the UK Premiere of a new work by Mexican composer Hilda Paredes, featuring Irvine Arditti as soloist.
BBC Radio 3’s flagship contemporary music programme Hear and Now will be on the spot to broadcast two live latenight concerts on Saturday, November 18 and Saturday, November 25 and its presenters and recording team will maintain a vital presence throughout the festival to record concerts, interviews and discussions for future broadcast on the programme.
A crucial long-term partner, Radio 3 is also currently presenting a four-programme retrospective of hcmf// in the lead up to the 40th edition.
Online booking: http:// www.hcmf.co.uk/programme Pictured at the Brass Factor final in Holmfirth are sponsors and winners (from left) Mike Hall from ThinkSmart Marketing, Caroline Lee from One17 Charitable Trust, Moin Valli from Valli Opticians, Ella Banks, Principal Cornet Macclesfield Youth Band and Alex Bray, Brass Factor Director A HUDDERSFIELD band came second in the first of two Brass Factor contests.
Honley-based Hope Bank Youth Band came second at the event held at the Picturedrome in Holmfirth.
The winning band was Macclesfield Youth Band which wowed a sell-out audience with a creative Halloween horror set.
In third place was Bradfordbased BD1 youth band which did an incredible Queen set with one of the highlights being Bohemian Rhapsody featuring a Brian May-style guitar solo.
The event raised £500 for the Wellchild charity.
The charity was chosen because six-year-old Noah McNeill from Birkby has a rare lung condition which means he needs ventilation to help him breathe and has been supported by WellChild Nurses since birth so he can be at home with his mum, Jill Evans, dad Colin McNeill, and little brother, Oscar, aged four.
Alex Walton from Macclesfield Youth Band playing Helter Skelter won the best soloist and the judges were Martin Hall and Leigh Baker.
This year’s other Brass Factor, the award-winning brass band entertainment contest, will take place November 18 at the Engine Shed in Wetherby.
Brass Factor was first launched in 2010 by Alex Bray as a fusion of the popular TV talent show format and the tradition of brass bands.
His aim is to invest in the future of brass banding with an entertaining evening showcasing the diverse output of brass band music.
The audience on the night helps decide the winning band.