Brass Bands Blast Back: North East's Musical Picnic Returns with a Bang!

Brass bands from the North East and Cumbria are excited to compete again after not having a venue for their annual event. This Sunday, eleven bands will perform at the Brass Picnic, which is being held at The Story at Mount Oswald in Durham. The event is free for everyone, and the bands will play their 20-minute sets outdoors, even if it rains. The musicians, dressed in black suits, sit in a semi-circle around their conductor and play instruments like trumpets and French horns. They read their sheet music from stands in front of them, making sure to follow the notes closely.

The Brass Picnic is a long-standing tradition, now in its 80th year. It had to take a break after 2022 because its previous venue, the Durham Light Infantry Museum, closed. Now, with a new location, the event is back and the bands are eager to perform. Julie Carmichael, the chair of the Durham County Brass Band Association, says the day is meant to be relaxed and enjoyable. She encourages people to bring deck chairs, picnics, and blankets to make the most of the day. The bands competing include Bearpark and Esh, Billingham Silver, Craghead Colliery, Dunston Silver, Durham Miners, EDMG Peterlee, Felling, Ferryhill Town, Spennymoor Town, Trimdon, and Valley Brass from the North West.

The competition is judged based on how well the bands stick to the sheet music and their musical expression. The adjudicator has a copy of the music and checks how closely the bands follow the instructions. The winning band will be the first to have their name on the George Bramfitt Memorial Shield, a dark brown wooden shield with silver decorations and a silver trophy. Julie Carmichael says that winning is about tradition and pride, but it also helps the bands improve. Bands can be promoted or relegated, similar to football, depending on their performance each year. Stuart Gray, conductor of the Durham Miners Association Brass Band, says they are preparing a mix of traditional brass band music, solos, and familiar tunes. He believes it is important to start with an exciting piece to grab the audience's attention and end with a song that signals when to clap.

Brass bands have a long history in the North East, especially at events like the Durham Miners Gala. Stuart Gray says being in a band feels like being part of a big family. The tradition of brass band competitions in the area goes back to 1946, when the association was known as the Durham Brass Band League Competitions. The George Bramfitt shield is named after the man who started the picnic contests in 2005. Julie Carmichael advises all the bands to practice hard, play well, and enjoy the day. The return of the Brass Picnic is a chance for the community to come together, celebrate their musical heritage, and support local talent.