What's On — All events
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Family Event: World Music Encounter with Infusion
Sat 6 Sep Town Hall
Come and meet this unusual collection of musicians as they lead you on a musical journey from Albania to Zimbabwe! Meet the characters behind the instruments and share the stories of their own personal musical histories. Join them and the rest of the audience as they lead you in an interactive workshop that will certainly have you dancing and singing in the aisles! Infusion was established by Sound It Out Community Music in October 2006 to develop the skills of exiled musicians to run community music workshops and to raise awareness and increase understanding towards refugees and asylum seekers amongst local communities. Adults £5, 60 plus £4.50, Under 16s £2.50 Family ticket (4 people, minimum 1 adult) £12
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Late-Night Light Night
Fri 12 Sep Town Hall
In a thrilling evening of sound and light, Town Hall throws open the doors for an exclusive event showcasing some of the freshest musical talent from around the West Midlands. The party gets underway inside the iconic landmark with beats from Manga (Shaanti, Funkshaan), live hip hop and jazz with Soweto Kinch plus performances courtesy of Maylight and The Sub Ensemble. Expect a mix of beats, bass, brass and amazing vocals for a funky ArtsFest Friday. Outside Town Hall, spectacular illuminations and visuals will present the iconic building in a whole new light as part of Light Night Birmingham, a project featuring innovative architectural lighting of city centre landmarks. Free entry and a dazzling late-night audiovisual experience offers an opportunity to see the restored venue as never before. Admission FREE Presented in association with Birmingham Jazz. Soweto Kinch is a Town Hall Associate Artist.
*Soweto Kinch* *Manga* *The Sub Ensemble* *Maylight*
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Jagjit Singh Live in Concert
Fri 12 Sep Symphony Hall
Jagjit Singh's unique compositions and etheral voice have acquired him a legendary stature among millions of fans worldwide. He is the leading exponent of Ghazal singing, a form of a Indian classical music that he is credited to have given a new lease of life to, and he is often referred to as the 'Ghazal King'. His mesmerising live performances have enthralled millions so don't miss out. Please Note: Tickets will not be sent out until closer to the date of the performance.
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Brass Band Championship 2008
Sat 13 Sep Symphony Hall
Championship bands from England, Scotland and Wales compete for the coveted British Open Trophy by performing a specially selected test piece. There will also be trade stands exhibiting and selling brass band merchandise.
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Meet the Associates
Sat 13 Sep Town Hall
As part of the ArtsFest weekend we’re offering free showcase performances from the Town Hall Associate Artists: 1pm - 2pm *Black Voices* showcase The inspirational female vocal quintet 2.30pm - 3.30pm *BBC Big Band* showcase Conducted by Barry Forgie, Britain’s finest big band is on stage with jazz and swing classics 4pm - 5pm *Ex Cathedra* choir showcase Beautiful and uplifting singing from Birmingham’s premier choir Admission FREE
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Open Hall!
Sun 14 Sep Town Hall
We’re throwing the doors open to everyone, with: Orchestra of the Swan showcase (2pm - 3pm), children’s Heritage trail, Organ demonstrations, foyer music, Town Hall exhibition, refreshments from the foyer café, and a prize draw for free concert tickets. Admission FREE
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Brass Gala Concert 2008
Sun 14 Sep Symphony Hall
The present British Open Champion Band, The English and National Champion Band and the European Champion Band come together on one spectacular bill leading to a glorious climax featuring the Cory and Black Dyke Band performing together! The three bands will play music widely ranging from _Mozart's_ Magic Flute Overture to _Harry James'_ Trumpet Blues and Cantabile and taking in en route _Bach's_ Air on the G String, _Widor's_ famous Organ Toccata and ending with a new arrangement by Robert Childs of _Tchaikowsky's_ Marche Slav played by Black Dyke and Cory together. Original brass band music will include _Fletcher's_ popular Labour and Love, the first work commissioned by the national Brass Band Championship in 1913. Something, and probably more, for every fan of brass band music here. £12.50, £14.50, £16.50, £19.50, Choir £8.50 Full Programme details: *Grimethorpe Colliery Band* Percy Grainger _Irish tune from County Derry_ Shipley Douglas _March, Mephistopheles_ Fletcher _Labour and Love_ Hartmann _Rule Britannia_ (Euphonium solo Michael Dodd) Ireland _Elegy from A Downland Suite_ Goffin _Rhapsody in Brass_ *Cory Band* Philip Wilby _Peel Park_ (from a Lowry sketchbook) Paul Lovatt-Cooper _Neath the Dublin skies_ (Euphonium solo David Childs) Karl Jenkins arr. Tony Small _Palladio_ Monk, arr. Karl Jenkins _Abide With Me_ Gareth Wood _Actaeon_ *Black Dyke Band* Widor arr. Sparke _Toccata_ Mozart arr. Anon _Overture to The Magic Flute_ Simone Mantia _Fantasie Originale_ (Euphonium solo David Thornton) Bach arr. Snell _Air from Suite No. 3_ Paul Lovatt-Cooper _In Vitae Aeternam_ *Black Dyke and Cory together* Lovatt-Cooper _Walking with Heroes_ Harry James arr. Geldard _Trumpet Blues and Cantabile_ (with twenty soloists) Tchaikovsky arr. Robert Childs _Marche Slav_
Grimethorpe Colliery Band Cory Band Black Dyke Band
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Fantastic Symphony
Wed 17 Sep Symphony Hall
A new conductor, a new era - three youthful orchestral showpieces launch Andris Nelsons’ first concert as music director of the CBSO. And they couldn’t be more appropriate. Like Andris Nelsons himself, Berlioz was still in his twenties when he wrote his outrageous symphony, and the young Wagner actually wrote his Rienzi overture in Nelsons’ home city of Riga! Bartók’s thrilling ballet score comes from the composer’s mid-thirties. The CBSO’s new music director has already won widespread praise for his exciting performances with the Orchestra, and tonight’s programme has plenty to set pulses racing so make sure you don’t miss the start of something really special! The concert on 17 September is sponsored by Mitchells and Butlers 6.15pm Pre-concert talk - Welcome to the Season Meet Andris Nelsons, as he prepares to conduct his first concerts as music director of the CBSO. In conversation with Stephen Maddock.
Andris Nelsons - conductor City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Wagner: Overture, Rienzi 13’ Bartók: Miraculous Mandarin Suite 21’ Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique 55’
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Stephen Bishop Plus John O'Connell (Groundpig)
Thu 18 Sep Town Hall
The acclaimed American singer / songwriter and composer of _On and On_, _Save It for a Rainy Day_, _Everybody Needs Love_, and _It Might Be You_, the theme from the movie _Tootsie_. Bishop is an American singer and guitarist who has been nominated for two Grammys and an Oscar. As well as writing and singing on numerous film scores, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Barbra Streisand, Art Garfunkel, Kenny Loggins, Johnny Mathis, Phoebe Snow, David Crosby and The Four Tops have all recorded songs penned by Bish. Jonny O'Connell was half of the well-known Liverpool band Groundpig and is now making a name for himself as a popular singer/songwriter.
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Symphonic Spectacular!
Fri 19 Sep Symphony Hall
This concert is for secondary schools, and is designed for and by students in Key Stages 3 & 4. Forget keyboards and samplers - the full symphony orchestra is the biggest, most powerful machine ever devised for making music! Get up close and see how it works in this special concert. Tommy Pearson takes the orchestra to pieces, while the CBSO’s brilliant new conductor Andris Nelsons steers the full CBSO through a showcase performance of Berlioz’ thrilling Fantastic Symphony.
Andris Nelsons - conductor Tommy Pearson - presenter City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
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A Black Country Night Out September 2008
Fri 19 Sep Town Hall
You don't have to be from the Black Country to enjoy A Black Country Night Out. Following their sold out show in Town Hall last year, the cream of Black Country entertainment come together again to raise the roofs with laughter. Master of ceremonies (flying in from Halesowen) Tommy Mundon, is joined by husband and wife comedy duo Dandy, the Black Country's own Aynuk, the region's most famous musical act Giggetty and special guest from TV's The Comedians, via Tipton, Lee Wilson. Together they will perform in this two hour show of mirth and merriment, laughter and song.
Tommy Mundon, Dandy, Aynuk, Giggetty & Lee Wilson
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Fantastic Symphony
Sat 20 Sep Symphony Hall
A new conductor, a new era - three youthful orchestral showpieces launch Andris Nelsons’ first concert as music director of the CBSO. And they couldn’t be more appropriate. Like Andris Nelsons himself, Berlioz was still in his twenties when he wrote his outrageous symphony, and the young Wagner actually wrote his Rienzi overture in Nelsons’ home city of Riga! Bartók’s thrilling ballet score comes from the composer’s mid-thirties. The CBSO’s new music director has already won widespread praise for his exciting performances with the Orchestra, and tonight’s programme has plenty to set pulses racing so make sure you don’t miss the start of something really special! The concert on 17 September is sponsored by Mitchells and Butlers 6.15pm Pre-concert talk - Welcome to the Season Meet Andris Nelsons, as he prepares to conduct his first concerts as music director of the CBSO. In conversation with Stephen Maddock.
Andris Nelsons - conductor City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Wagner: Overture, Rienzi 13’ Bartók: Miraculous Mandarin Suite 21’ Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique 55’
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Three Parts Guitar 60th Birthday Special Gordon Giltrap John Etheridge Raymond Burley. With special guest Rick Wakeman
Sat 20 Sep Town Hall
As well as a love of the guitar Gordon, John and Raymond also share the same year of birth. 2008 marks the 60th birthdays of three of the UK's finest guitarists. Tonight they will celebrate together when for one night only they bring back the sell out 'Three Parts Guitar' concert. Three friends, but also three wonderful guitarists, each acknowledged as a virtuoso in their style. A mixture of classical rock, celtic, jazz, and classical. This concert will treat fans to their favourite songs with some very special collaborations. A night not to be missed for any lover of the guitar !!
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Birmingham Jazz Stan Tracey's Hexad
Sat 20 Sep Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre
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Nigel Kennedy Quintet- A Very Nice Tour
Sun 21 Sep Symphony Hall
For over 25 years, Nigel Kennedy has been acknowledged as one of the world's leading violin virtuosos and is, without doubt, one of the most important violinists Britain has produced. His virtuostic technique, unique talent and mass appeal have brought fresh perspectives to the classical, contemporary and jazz repertoire. On the _Very Nice Tour_, Kennedy performs with his jazz group, the Nigel Kennedy Quintet. The band met in Nigel's adopted city of Krakow in Poland and is made up of some of Europe's finest exponents of jazz, from the ever-inventive rhythm section of drummer *Pawel Dobrowolski* and bassist *Adam Kowaleski* to the fluent soloing of pianist *Poitr Wylezol* and the muscular tenor sax of *Tomasz Grzegorski*. £24.50, £28
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University College Birmingham Graduation - 11:30am
Mon 22 Sep Symphony Hall
Awards Congregation for the School of Business and Marketing and the School of Hospitality, Food and Retail Management
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University College Birmingham Graduation - 2:45pm
Mon 22 Sep Symphony Hall
Awards Congregation for the School of Childhood and Education, the School of Recreation, Sport and Tourism and the School of Salon, Spa and Complementary Therapies
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University College Birmingham Graduation - 6pm
Mon 22 Sep Symphony Hall
Further Education Awards Congregation
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Rachmaninov’s Second
Tue 23 Sep Symphony Hall
For his second programme as music director, Andris Nelsons has chosen another grand romantic symphony - Rachmaninov’s sweeping, passionate second, which the composer premiered exactly a century ago in 1908. In the first half, the brilliant young Macedonian pianist Simon Trpceski will join the Orchestra for Saint-Saëns’ most popular concerto, and the concert begins with another French favourite, Debussy’s sensuous miniature ballet. Pre concert talk 6.15pm - The Players’ Perspective - Rachmaninov’s Second Violinist David Gregory and fellow CBSO musicians present an insider’s angle on Rachmaninov’s best-loved symphony.
Andris Nelsons - conductor Simon Trpceski - piano City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Debussy: Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune 10’ Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2 23’ Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 55’
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Lunchtime Concert - Australian String Quartet
Wed 24 Sep Town Hall
A new series of our popular lunchtime concerts is given a terrific send-off by snapping up Australia’s finest string quartet on a rare visit to the UK. They team up with their illustrious countryman the pianist Piers Lane for a Beethoven masterpiece and Dvorák's adorable Piano Quintet. £7.50 60 plus/full-time students/unwaged/under 16s £5 Concert lasts approximately one hour.
Australian String Quartet Piers Lane Piano Beethoven String Quartet Op 74, Harp Dvorák Piano Quintet Op 81

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