***UPDATE*** – Durham Brass Festival has been postponed until 2022. Read more here.
‘Eleanor Rigby for the Durham coalfield’
North East band Field Music have joined forces with the Durham Miners Association (DMA) for a new musical project exploring the region’s coal mining heritage.
The band will debut ‘Binding Time, Songs and Stories from the Durham Coalfield’ in the home of the DMA as part of this year’s Brass Festival.
Field Music has been working with the DMA on the project, visiting Redhills and researching the rich history of the Durham coalfield to inspire new compositions featuring brass band music.
The Mercury Award nominees will perform two sets in The Pitman’s Parliament at Redhills, Durham Miners Hall, on Sunday 18 July. The band will be accompanied by members of NASUWT Riverside Brass Band. Support comes from Gateshead singer-songwriter Ami McGuinness.
The concerts will take place on Sunday 18 July at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Capacity has been limited and tickets are being sold socially distanced.
Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday 11 June online here: https://brassfestival.co.uk/brasspost/field-music/
The Redhills Christmas Concert will provide the last chance to visit Durham Miners Hall before it closes for a major programme of restoration and renewal.
Join us for a festive performance from the Durham Miners Association Brass Band on Saturday 4 December. Redhills will then close to be fully restored and renewed as a centre for heritage, culture and education, reopening in Spring 2023.
The band will perform a series of Christmas favourites, and will be accompanied by soloist Lily Banev, who sings with the Durham Cathedral choir. The Redhills team will also provide updates on the project, and a provide a look at the future of the Miners Hall.
The Christmas Concert at Redhills will begin at 7pm on Saturday 4 December with doors opening at 6.30pm. Mince pies and hot drinks will be served in the Committee Room.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, this is a limited capacity event and Covid mitigations will be in place. Attendees will be required to wear masks in restricted spaces including toilets and refreshment areas. Anyone with Covid 19 symptoms should not attend.