What's On — All events

Brass Band Gala

Sun 5 Sep 2:30pm Symphony Hall

The Who’s Who of brass bands - Black Dyke Band, Cory Band and the Grimethorpe Colliery Band come together for a magnificent Gala Concert. Hear the new BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist of the year, Matthew White, and thrill to a spectacular finale when the Black Dyke and Cory Bands combine to perform as one massed band. A must for all brass fans.
158th British Brass Band ...

Sat 4 Sep 10:30am Symphony Hall

17 Championship bands compete for the coveted British Open Trophy, playing a new work by internationally acclaimed composer Peter Graham, _On the Shoulders of Giants_, which draws on influences from Sousa, Bruckner and Tommy Dorsey- a rare mixture.

*Peter Graham* On the Shoulders of Giants
Rush Hour Blues - Mike Ha...

Fri 27 Aug 5:30pm Book through our ticket office for BrindleyPlace

MJHQ bring together jazz, blues and soul in this gig featuring singer Sarah Winton.
Rush Hour Blues - Mama Ma...

Fri 20 Aug 5:30pm Book through our ticket office for BrindleyPlace

Led by singer and guitarist Daz Dolchek, Mama Matrix play a lively mix of folk and Balkan jazz; perfect for a summer evening.
The National Children's O... Under 13 Orchestra

Sat 14 Aug 7:00pm Town Hall

Fresh from the fireworks of performing Tchaikovsky’s 1812, this is your chance to enjoy a sizzling, _Summertime_ soiree with some of the country’s finest young musical talent. 'Genuinely moving' The Guardian
*Roger Clarkson* _conductor_
*Smetana Overture* to _The Bartered Bride_ *Curtis* _Autumn Song_ *Korngold* Theme from _The Sea Hawk_ *Goodwin* Theme from _The Trap_ *Gershwin* _Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture_
Rush Hour Blues - Tim Ama...

Fri 13 Aug 5:30pm Book through our ticket office for BrindleyPlace

Pianist/composer Tim Amann leads one of the most popular Rush Hour Blues bands, featuring excellent tunes and the great saxophone playing of Sam Rogers.
Tiny Tours!

Sat 7 Aug 12:00pm Town Hall

Enjoy a craft session and an interactive, fun and family-friendly tour of the magnificent Town Hall.
Tiny Tours!

Sat 7 Aug 11:00am Town Hall

Enjoy a craft session and an interactive, fun and family-friendly tour of the magnificent Town Hall.
Tiny Tours!

Sat 7 Aug 10:00am Town Hall

Enjoy a craft session and an interactive, fun and family-friendly tour of the magnificent Town Hall.
Rush Hour Blues - Del Cam... Brindley Place

Fri 6 Aug 5:30pm Book through our ticket office for BrindleyPlace

_It’s free and it really is the place to be_ Birmingham Post
National Youth Orchestra ...

Wed 4 Aug 7:30pm Symphony Hall

A fantastic summer concert on a fantastical theme: _Symphonie Fantastique_, _The Sorcerer’s Apprentice_ and Julian Anderson’s _Fantasias_ played by ‘_the most uplifting orchestra in the world_.’ (The Times) Conductor Semyon Bychkov works his magic on these inspiring young musicians, described by The Independent as ‘_breathtakingly good . . . they played, quite simply, like professionals_.’
*National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain* *Conductor* _Semyon Bychkov_
*Dukas* _The Sorcerer's Apprentice_ *Julian Anderson* _Fantasias_ (European Premiere) *Berlioz* _Symphonie Fantastique_
Tinariwen

Wed 28 Jul 7:30pm Town Hall

Tinariwen are a group of former Touareg warriors, one of the most exciting musical exports to emerge from West Africa. Distilled over 20 years of struggle, rebellion and exile, their rolling grooves and uncompromising messages of simplicity and freedom, have earned them countless accolades and the attention of high-profile fans such as Robert Plant, Santana, Edge and Thom Yorke. In June they played to an audience of millions as part of the World Cup celebrations. And in July they’re playing for you in Birmingham! ‘_Sensational_’ Andy Kershaw ‘_. . . sounds thrillingly unlike anything else on the planet_’ Q ‘_[Tinariwen] strode out of the Sahara with the best rock album of the year, suggesting a gathering of the greatest guitars you’ve ever heard - John Lee Hooker, Jimi Hendrix, electric Bob Dylan - burnt into new shapes by the desert sun_’. Sunday Times ‘_This extraordinary band are clearly pushing for more than cult world music status. They fully merit it._’ Uncut ‘_If you make one discovery this year, make it Tinariwen._’ Marie Claire "Watch Tinariwen’s World Cup performance":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkO7vBMIlUI

Running time: 90 minutes approx. with no interval.
CBSO Andris Nelsons condu...

Wed 28 Jul 7:30pm Symphony Hall

*This concert is dedicated to the memory of Sir Charles Mackerras* The first time Andris Nelsons conducted Dvořák’s New World Symphony with the CBSO, the Orchestra was so impressed that it made him Music Director! Hear why tonight, and be ready to fall in love all over again with Dvořák’s most popular symphony. Wagner’s Rienzi overture (a personal favourite of Andris Nelsons) opens the concert in barnstorming style, before the masterly young British pianist Paul Lewis makes a welcome and long-awaited return to the CBSO with Beethoven’s sparkling concerto.
*Andris Nelsons* _conductor_ *Paul Lewis* _piano_
*Wagner* Rienzi 13’ *Beethoven* Piano Concerto No. 2 28’ *Dvořák* Symphony No 9 (From the New World) 40’
CBSO Youth Orchestra Acad...

Sun 25 Jul 7:00pm Town Hall

Join the CBSO Youth Orchestra’s acclaimed chamber orchestra for an evening of sheer summer exuberance. Berio’s extraordinary mini-operas and Milhaud’s swinging jazz-age ballet are just the curtain raisers to Beethoven’s liveliest (and cheekiest!) symphony. Jörg Widmann’s _Con brio_, meanwhile, is an uproarious homage to Beethoven. It caused a sensation at last year’s BBC Proms; hear why, when our brilliant young players give it their show-stopping all.
*Michael Seal* _conductor_ *Loré Lixenberg* _mezzo-soprano_ *CBSO Youth Orchestra Academy*
*Milhaud* La création du monde 16’ *Berio* Folk Songs 23’ *Widmann* Con brio 12’ *Beethoven* Symphony No 8 27’
BSS Showbiz Summer Showca...

Sat 24 Jul 7:00pm Town Hall

The Midlands leading part time performing arts school for young people aged 5-18 years presents their annual talent showcase featuring drama, music and dance. "Visit the BSS Showbiz website":http://www.bssshowbiz.co.uk
Family Foyer Fusion Free event

Sat 24 Jul 1:00pm Symphony Hall Foyer Bars

Bring your family along for an afternoon packed full of buzzing entertainment. Make, take, play, watch and listen as the foyers come alive with activities and performances by community big band The Notebenders. Stay or pop by - either way we hope to see you there. Would your local band or ensemble like the opportunity to perform during a family foyer fusion? Get in touch at education@thsh.co.uk
Rush Hour Blues - Tom Hil...

Fri 23 Jul 5:30pm Symphony Hall Foyer Bars

Tom Hill draws on contemporary jazz material in this quartet, which features saxophonist Ian Ellis.
BBC Big Band: A Tribute t... Rescheduled from 23 April

Wed 21 Jul 7:30pm Town Hall

Join Australian trumpet virtuoso James Morrison and the BBC Big Band to hear the sounds of jazz legend Louis Armstrong; including _Sleepy Time_ _Down South_, _All of Me_ and _Struttin’ with some Barbecue_. They are joined by singer Anita Wardell as they recreate the great jazz partnership of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. Concert to be recorded for BBC Radio 2’s "Big Band Special":http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/bigband BBC Big Band is a Town Hall Associate Artist
*BBC Big Band* *James Morrison* _trumpet_ *Anita Wardell* _vocalist_ *Mark Nightingale* _conductor_
SHOUT Gospel Choir

Sat 17 Jul 8:00pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre
Mid-day Mantra - Soumik D...

Sat 17 Jul 1:00pm Symphony Hall Foyer Bars

Soumik is one of the UK's rising young musical talents. Educated in the UK, he has gone back to his roots to master the exquisite art of the sarod (a lute-like, fretless string instrument). He is now one of this country's leading young players with a series of increasingly prestigious engagements in the UK and abroad. Aside from his solo performances, he has also collaborated and performed with such wide-range talents as Talvin Singh, Beyoncé, Akram Khan and Bill Bailey. Presented in association with sampad. The Mid-day Mantra series is supported by Arts Council England.
*Soumik Datta* _sarod_