Music Generation Cork City presents BOLD as BRASS

BOLD as BRASS

CALL OUT TO MUSICIANS TO BE BIG, BOLD AND BRASSY THIS SUMMER!

MARCH 1 – JUNE 21, 2015

Music Generation Cork City presents BOLD as BRASS, a large scale festive performance in partnership with Cork Midsummer Festival, Cork City Council and CIT Cork School of Music, funded under the Music Generation/Arts Council Partnership Programme.

To be performed in Cork’s historic Elizabeth Fort, Music Generation Cork City invites musicians of all ages and playing ability to join in this exciting performance opportunity, which includes a stunning line up of soloists including Jason Yarde and Carolyn Goodwin (saxophones), Alex Petcu (percussion), Michael Mullins (trumpet), Robert O’ Brien (tuba) and Roddy O’ Keeffe (trombone) leading the ensemble.

Composed by UK saxophonist Jason Yarde as the largest of 21 commissions by Serious for its 21st EFG London Jazz Festival in November 2013, BOLD as BRASS is a large scale, outdoor, promenade performance involving over 100 musicians of all levels. Whether beginner, intermediate or professional, this is a huge opportunity to participate in a unique performance composed specifically for brass, saxophone and percussion players. Bold as Brass will receive its Irish premiere as part of the closing events of the 2015 Cork Midsummer Festival. 

According to Margaret O’Sullivan, Music Generation Cork City Coordinator, “This is a first for Cork City, facilitating different generations of brass players together, including professional and amateur, and beginners alongside advanced players, in a new piece that draws on world brass traditions from military to folk to carnival. Having seen Jason Yarde in action at the EFG London Jazz Festival, we knew his combination of brilliant musicianship, courage and sense of fun would provide a fantastic experience for musicians in Ireland. We are delighted that the Arts Council/Music Generation partnership, Cork Midsummer Festival, Cork City Council and CITCSM have all supported it, and we look forward to working with our partners on this exciting project.”

Beginning on March 1^st, Jason Yarde and his team of professional brass players and mentors will run a series of workshops and rehearsals at CIT Cork School of Music. Interested musicians are asked to register as early as possible, with new musicians being welcomed until May 10^th. The project will culminate in a series of performances and grand finale for the summer solstice in Elizabeth Fort, Cork City, on Sunday June 21^st 2015 as part of the closing event programme for Cork Midsummer Festival.

BOLD as BRASS Artistic Coordinator and Music Generation Cork City lead brass tutor, Shauna McCullough says “BOLD as BRASS is an exciting opportunity for every type of brass, saxophone and percussion player. Jason has cleverly composed the piece to include lots of different playing abilities, beginners can feel confident to get involved while advance players will feel positively challenged! There is something for everyone. I hope that the musicians of Cork will get their brass bells out and take over the city with this performance project. Nothing like this has ever happened in Cork before!”

Registration for musicians is now open with a first rehearsal workshop scheduled for Sunday March 1^st at 11am.

For more information you can email boldasbrasscork@gmail.com or contact Shauna on 087 4171259. Details are also available through facebook: www.facebook.com/boldasbrasscork