BRASS: Durham International Festival.

BRASS is a county-wide celebration of a musical culture: the result of imaginative collaborations and comissions, constantly pushing the boundaries of brass music.

The festival presents a diverse and adventourous line-up, packed with music, outdoor theatre, international collaborations, opera, dance and community activity.

2012 Festival

Durham County Council have announced that the BRASS:Durham International Festival will be back from Friday 6th July to Sunday 22nd July. The Forge are once again running an Education Programme for schools in County Durham. If you would like your School to take part in the festival next year please get in touch and Follow this link for the Festival website.

2011 Highlights

For the second year running The Forge have been commissioned by Durham County Council to run the Brass Education Programme for schools in County Durham, running in conjunction with Brass Durham International Festival.

The Brass Education Programme is already bigger and better than last year!

• 11 bands from all over the world – UK, USA, Japan, Belgium, Africa, Germany, France, Spain and Italy
• 70 County Durham schools taking part
• 94 performances and Question and Answer sessions
• 7,000 children and young people involved in the programme

The education programme is a great opportunity for schools to gain mass access to international artists, sample electrifying and untraditional brass music from other cultures and provide children with a unique and exciting experience.

Take a look at our gallery and films to see some of the bands involved in the education programme:

Magicaboola

Les Traine-Savates

Oompah Brass

2010 Achievements

In 2010 The Forge reached over 4,000 children and young people through Brass performances, workshops and master classes. The Forge facilitated a variety of creative learning activities by engaging and encouraging young people to develop an interest in music making.

The best thing about Brass?

“Everyone enjoying, participating and sharing good quality music. The involvement and connection to other brass festival events going on in the same week in the community”. Bullion Lane Primary School

“Exciting opportunity. Challenged stereotypes/expectations. All (including staff) expected a ‘traditional’ brass band. Several children play saxophone – they found it particularly inspiring to see where music could take them”. Cassop Primary School

“Fun…Enjoyable…Educational”. Silver Tree Primary School