What's On — All events

Rush Hour Blues - Mike Ha...
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Fri 27 Aug 5:30pm Book through our ticket office for BrindleyPlace

MJHQ bring together jazz, blues and soul in this gig featuring singer Sarah Winton.
158th British Brass Band ...
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Sat 4 Sep 10:30am Symphony Hall

17 Championship bands compete for the coveted British Open Trophy, playing a new work by internationally acclaimed composer Peter Graham, _On the Shoulders of Giants_, which draws on influences from Sousa, Bruckner and Tommy Dorsey- a rare mixture.

*Peter Graham* On the Shoulders of Giants
Brass Band Gala
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Sun 5 Sep 2:30pm Symphony Hall

The Who’s Who of brass bands - Black Dyke Band, Cory Band and the Grimethorpe Colliery Band come together for a magnificent Gala Concert. Hear the new BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist of the year, Matthew White, and thrill to a spectacular finale when the Black Dyke and Cory Bands combine to perform as one massed band. A must for all brass fans.
Modified Toy Orchestra pr... with special guest Micronormous
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Wed 8 Sep 8:00pm Town Hall

After international performances to critical and audience acclaim, MTO return to their hometown for this UK premiere of their new album _Plastic Planet_, performed using *only* modified toys. With its subtle ecological concerns, cinematic soundscapes and joyous electronic pop music, this will be a truly a unique and uplifting experience. Modified Toy Orchestra rescue electronic toys from car boot sales and convert them into new, strange and wonderfully sophisticated musical instruments. Taking them apart, they find new connections within each toy and explore the latent potential and surplus value inherent in these liberated circuits. Guided by this hidden world, they seek to make a form of music devoid of personal narrative or autobiography, instead asking bigger questions about our relationship with the next new gadget or our desire for the constant upgrade. Five years in the making, _Plastic Planet_ continues MTO's philosophy of performing live electronic music without the use of laptops, sythesisers or samplers. No conventional instruments of any kind are used at all - a philosophy which began with their debut album, _Toygopop_. On _Plastic Planet_ they develop further concerns: themes of utopian bliss on _Funfair for the Common Man_; the rise of the information age on _Qwerty_, the collapse of empire on _Great Kings Fall_ and the consequences of ecological vandalism on _Earth One_. Regular conductors Brian Duffy ('_a national treasure_’ - mute), Dreams of Tall Buildings Darren Joyce, Pram’s Laurence Hunt and AV artist Chris Plant are joined by new members Graeme Rose and Sean Tighe in this epic UK premiere performance.
BBC Big Band meets the No...
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Fri 10 Sep 8:00pm Town Hall

A unique ArtsFest collaboration and jazz celebration as Town Hall Associate Artist the BBC Big Band join forces with Birmingham-based community big band The Notebenders.
*Jiggs Whigham* _conductor_
Family Friendly Artsfest
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Town Hall & Symphony Hall

Town Hall & Symphony Hall Foyers. Family friendly activities will be on offer throughout the day. Come and join the celebration.
Strings in the city with ...
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Sat 11 Sep 12:00pm Symphony Hall

Musicians from Town Hall Associate Artist Orchestra of the Swan will bring the region’s string players together in a massed performance of Vaughan Williams’s Concerto Grosso for String Orchestra. A unique opportunity to play or hear this great work. Get involved: If you play a string instrument at Grade 2 or above, we’d like to invite you to perform in Strings in the City. Pre registration is essential, please email Katie.Banks@thsh.co.uk or call 0121 644 5183.
A Taste of Town Hall
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Sat 11 Sep 12:00pm Town Hall

Free showcase performances from the Town Hall Associate Artists: *12 noon Ex Cathedra* Town Hall’s associate choir showcases its beautiful and faultless singing. The choir’s international reputation goes from strength to strength, come and hear why. *1.30pm Black Voices* From gospel to spirituals, Caribbean to African, jazz and blues, Birmingham’s Black Voices is firmly rooted in music that energises and uplifts, challenges and educates. *3pm Town Hall Gospel Choir* The hall’s acclaimed gospel choir performs music to thrill and inspire. *4.30pm Organ Demonstration* A demonstration of Town Hall’s awe-inspiring organ by organist Andrew Fletcher.
Mid-day Mantra - Faheem M...
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Sat 11 Sep 2:00pm Symphony Hall

A taster session for Symphony Hall and Sampad’s monthly lunchtime Asian chill series, Mid-day Mantra. Be transported by the magical singing of Faheem Mazhar, acclaimed master of the ancient Indian vocal tradition and student of some of the greatest classical gurus.
Folk for Free Season
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Sat 11 Sep 4:30pm Symphony Hall Foyer Bars

Come and join us after work and enjoy some of the best in contemporary folk music from the Midlands. With the exception of this month's launch at ArtsFest, Folk for Free will run monthly on a Thursday from 5.30pm - 7pm.
Folk For Free - Elfynn
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Sat 11 Sep Symphony Hall

The launch of a new free monthly series. Elfynn play a vibrant mix of traditional and contemporary tunes on fiddle and accordion with a back line of driving danceable rhythms, grooving bass and fiery electric guitar.
Poet and Pianist
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Symphony Hall

Julie Boden, Symphony Hall’s Poet in Residence, and jazz pianist/composer Steve Tromans perform _The Piano Room_, a suite of poems and music inspired by the Hall’s mysterious piano store. There will be an opportunity to go backstage and visit the store at the end of the performance.
A Taste of Town Hall
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Town Hall

Sunday’s taster sessions begin at 1pm with a half hour demonstration of Town Hall’s awe-inspiring organ by Andrew Fletcher. Following this the Hall hosts a variety of local groups who will be performing as part of ArtsFest throughout Sunday afternoon. Please check back nearer the time for the confirmed line-up.
A Taste of Symphony Hall
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Sun 12 Sep 1:00pm Symphony Hall

Symphony Hall will also be hosting a variety of local artists who will be performing as part of ArtsFest throughout Sunday afternoon, please check back nearer the time for the confirmed line-up.
CBSO The Birmingham Mahle...
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Thu 16 Sep 7:30pm Symphony Hall

'Try to imagine the whole universe beginning to ring and resound. These are no longer human voices, but planets and suns revolving.' With its vast orchestra, and even huger chorus, Mahler’s mighty _Symphony of a Thousand_ lives up to its nickname. But it’s much more than just the most spectacular symphony ever written; it’s an exultant hymn to the joy of creation itself, and every performance is a special occasion. You’ll be thrilled, you’ll be moved - and you’ll be blown backwards, as Andris Nelsons, the CBSO, three great choruses and a star-studded team of soloists launch Birmingham’s centenary Mahler Cycle in truly epic style. 6.15pm Pre-concert talk with Norman Lebrecht, novelist, critic and author of _Why Mahler?_ Part of "The Birmingham Mahler Cycle":http://www.thsh.co.uk/the-birmingham-mahler-cycle
*Andris Nelsons* _conductor_ *Marina Shaguch* _soprano_ *Erin Wall* _soprano_ *Carolyn Sampson* _soprano_ *Katarina Karnéus* _mezzo_ *Mihoko Fujimura* _mezzo_ *Sergei Semishkur* _tenor_ *Christopher Maltman* _baritone_ *Matthew Best* _bass_ *CBSO Chorus* *CBSO Youth Chorus* *CBSO Children's Chorus* *Hallé Choir*
*Mahler* Symphony No. 8 (_Symphony of a Thousand_) 85’ (Sung in Latin & German with English surtitles)
Centre Stage - Brahms's P...
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Fri 17 Sep 1:10pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

CBSO Players
*Brahms* Piano Quartet No. 3, Op. 60
Joanna Newsom
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Fri 17 Sep 7:30pm Symphony Hall

Joanna Newsom; harpist, pianist, and singer-songwriter, makes her Symphony Hall debut. Newsom’s recent album _Have One on Me_ has received enthusiastic critical plaudits. She is a spellbinding live performer: *‘... symphonies swirl, motifs that others would build a career out of drop in and out and no one can be left in any doubt that they are witnessing a master at work.’* The Independent
Elgar: The Dream of Geron...
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Sat 18 Sep 5:30pm Town Hall

Ex Cathedra and the OAE reprise their critically-acclaimed period performance of _The Dream of Gerontius_ to celebrate the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman. Newman lived and died in Birmingham, founded the UK branch of the Oratory movement here in Birmingham, and wrote the text for this piece, Elgar’s “best”, which was premiered at Town Hall in 1900.
*Ex Cathedra XL Choir* *Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment* *Jeffrey Skidmore* _conductor_ *Anna Stephany* _mezzo soprano_ *Adrian Thompson* _tenor_ *Roderick Williams* _bass_
Please note there is no interval.
CBSO The Birmingham Mahle...
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Sat 18 Sep 8:00pm Symphony Hall

'Try to imagine the whole universe beginning to ring and resound. These are no longer human voices, but planets and suns revolving.' With its vast orchestra, and even huger chorus, Mahler’s mighty _Symphony of a Thousand_ lives up to its nickname. But it’s much more than just the most spectacular symphony ever written; it’s an exultant hymn to the joy of creation itself, and every performance is a special occasion. You’ll be thrilled, you’ll be moved - and you’ll be blown backwards, as Andris Nelsons, the CBSO, three great choruses and a star-studded team of soloists launch Birmingham’s centenary Mahler Cycle in truly epic style. 6.15pm Pre-concert talk with Norman Lebrecht, novelist, critic and author of _Why Mahler?_ Part of "The Birmingham Mahler Cycle":http://www.thsh.co.uk/the-birmingham-mahler-cycle
*Andris Nelsons* _conductor_ *Marina Shaguch* _soprano_ *Erin Wall* _soprano_ *Carolyn Sampson* _soprano_ *Katarina Karnéus* _mezzo_ *Mihoko Fujimura* _mezzo_ *Sergei Semishkur* _tenor_ *Christopher Maltman* _baritone_ *Matthew Best* _bass_ *CBSO Chorus* *CBSO Youth Chorus* *CBSO Children's Chorus* *Hallé Choir*
*Mahler* Symphony No. 8 (_Symphony of a Thousand_) 85’ (Sung in Latin & German with English surtitles)
Canoldir Male Choir, Pres... Pride and Passion
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Sun 19 Sep 7:00pm Town Hall

Enjoy a spectacular evening of inspiring music and show your support for The Royal Star & Garter Homes which provides much needed nursing & therapeutic care for ex-servicemen and women at its care homes in Solihull and Richmond (Surrey).
"*Canoldir Male Choir*":http://www.canoldir.co.uk *James Llewelyn Jones* _musical director_ *Band of HM Royal Marines Plymouth* *Capt. Richard Harvey* _musical director_ *Abigail Kelly* _soprano_