By Our Life’s Ember – A Concert of Remembrance

This concert is dedicated to honouring those who gave their lives in service, and to remembering the generations of miners whose courage, sacrifice, and solidarity shaped our region’s identity. The mining heritage of County Durham is one of resilience and unity — forged in the depths of the earth and carried forward in the strength of its people.

Brass bands and choirs have long been part of that heritage, lifting spirits in times of hardship and celebrating moments of hope. Today, their music helps us reflect on the lives lost in war, in the mines, and in the struggles for justice and dignity.

This special concert pays tribute to:

Miners who served in both World Wars
Bevin Boys conscripted into the mines during WWII
Tunnellers who dug beneath enemy lines in WWI

As we listen to the powerful sounds of the Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band and the moving voices of Lirica, we are reminded of the role music has always played in the lives of miners — from the colliery bands that lifted spirits, to the songs that told their stories. This concert is a tribute to that legacy. Their memory lives on in our music, in our gatherings, and in our shared commitment to community.