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Bands urged to commemorate mining disaster

The banding movement is being urged to commemorate the 100th anniversary later this year of the worst mining disaster in British coal mining history.

Leading figures in the brass band world are hoping to put together plans to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Senghenydd Colliery Disaster, which on the 14th October 1913 saw the greatest loss of life in British coal mining history.

Explosion

439 men and boys—including eight 14 year olds, were killed by an explosion at the Universal Colliery in South Wales, caused by the lethal build up of firedamp gas which ignited in conditions that did not meet the rudimentary requirements of the 1911 Coal Mines Act.

Both the Mine Manager and owners of the Universal Colliery Company were subsequently prosecuted, although the paltry £24 fine that was eventually imposed produced the newspaper headline, 'Miners' Lives at 1 shilling 1½ pence'.

The acquittal of the owners was challenged through the courts, where they were eventually fined £10 with £5 & 5 shillings costs.

More fuss

One surviving miner later commented: "My father always said there was more fuss if a horse was killed underground than if a man was killed. Men came cheap - they had to buy horses."

Links

Adjudicator and former miner David Read MBE, hopes that with the strong historic link between the banding movement and mining communities throughout the UK, bands will take the opportunity to play the miner’s hymn, ‘Gresford’ near to, or at, former coal mine locations on Sunday 13th October, as an act of solidarity and commemoration.

"Brass bands emerged from coal mining communities throughout Britain," he told 4BR.

"And there cannot be many bands or banding families that haven’t been touched by the loss of life or terrible injury in the production of coal in the past 100 years or more. This would be a wonderful way to show that the connection between brass bands and those communities still remains."

David was born in Senghenydd and later found out that family members had been killed in the disaster. "At least two extended family members were killed, so it remains a very emotional centenary in many other ways too."

Albert Hall

4BR understands that it is hoped that is may also be possible for a small ensemble to play the hymn tune on the stage of the Royal Albert Hall before the announcement of the results of the National Championships too—less than 48 hours before the exact 100th anniversary of the fateful time of 8.00am on Monday morning.

David added: "That would be a wonderful gesture at the most high profile competition in the banding world—a true response from the whole brass band movement to the mining communities of Britain."

Pit heads and memorials

It is hoped that in the next few weeks, further details will be announced to encourage bands to seek out former coal mine sites and memorials and to send images of them playing to banding media such as 4Barsrest to publish.

Evocative

Another active supporter Ian Brownbill added: "Just to play the hymn tune at such evocative locations will not only be such an emotional way to commemorate a terrible event, but to also show the banding movement’s continued support and involvement in mining communities throughout the country."

Brass without Boundaries

New brass inspired festival to take place in Cardiff in October packed with world class talent.

Details have been announced of the exciting Arcomis International Brass Event, which will take place in Cardiff in October.

Over the weekend of the 10th-13th October, the special music event will offer a remarkable opportunity to see and hear some of the best musicians from the world of brass.

World class

‘The Brass Event’ will be based at Cardiff’s St David’s Hall, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and Cardiff University School of Music, with the three high profile venues hosting celebrated UK and international artists.

World class concerts, performances and recitals will offer audiences the chance to enjoy the very best performers in the world, whilst foyer and street performances will spill out into Cardiff Centre creating a amazing festival atmosphere.

Behind the scenes

Masterclasses and ‘Behind the Scenes’ events are also included in the programme offering a fascinating insight into the elite artists’ world, whilst workshops will enthral and inspire school children, talented young musicians and composers of the future.

With the theme ‘Brass without Boundaries, organisers Arcomis, a promoter of new music, have created experiences and performances that are open to everyone to be enjoyed by music lovers of all ages.

The Brass Event is the second International Music Event produced by Arcomis and follows the successful Arcomis International Flute Event in 2011.

Highlights:

The Brass Event opens with inspired British brass concertos and an Armenian firecracker, performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and three of Europe’s most celebrated soloists: David Pyatt (Horn), Peter Moore (trombone) and Tine Thing Helseth (trumpet)

Mnozil Brass

There is also an evening with Mnozil Brass, the ‘wild-men’ of the brass world, presenting their showcase Happy Birthday for the first time in Wales

In addition there will be pioneering classical-jazz fusion from world-renowned tuba virtuoso Oren Marshall, a performance of intimate chamber music featuring David Pyatt, Principal Horn of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and award-winning Norwegian trumpeter Tine Thing Helseth in a performance of a selection from her latest CD release.

Jazz

Jazz fans can look forward to a performance by the UK’s finest young jazz musicians - the NYJO, as well as a theatrically animated programme of Britain’s contemporary music performed by an ensemble from the London Sinfonietta.

Stars

Not to be missed will be an evening with the versatile virtuoso Allen Vizzutti and a performance by euphonium superstar David Childs, as well as a showcase of some of the finest brass and percussion players working in London Orchestras today - Superbrass

Concert

There will also be a concert of works featuring the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and soloist Håkan Hardenberger whose career has redefined the trumpet for the 21st century.

Promote

Arcomis International Brass Event Director Dr Adrian Hull told 4BR: "The vision of Arcomis since its inception in 2007 has been to promote and encourage new music. The Brass Event is therefore designed to ignite the imagination and broaden horizons.

The programme has been crafted to be entertaining whilst also pushing into uncharted territory, avoiding artificial barriers between the classical and contemporary. Artists will stretch the limits of what they and their instruments can do through both familiar and unfamiliar music."

He added: "A key feature of the event will be the ‘behind-the-scenes’ sessions. Master classes, workshops and seminars offering a chance to witness how the very best performers and teachers inspire the next generation of players. Not normally open to the public these sessions are an opportunity to get uniquely close to the worlds finest brass musicians.

We hope that audiences, both young and old, will draw inspiration from these exceptional experiences with some of the world’s leading brass players in Cardiff, in what promises to be an extraordinary weekend."

Political support

The Arcomis International Brass Event is supported by the Welsh Government through the Major Events Unit and the Arts Council of Wales.

Minister for the Economy, Edwina Hart told 4BR: "The Welsh Government is supporting Arcomis International Music Events for the next three years as the event provides a unique opportunity to bring together world-class musicians to showcase the best music and highlights Wales as an important destination for excellence in the creative industries.

I wish Arcomis well with the preparations for the 2013 Brass event."

More information

Information about The Brass Event is available at www.brassevent.com

Individual tickets and full event premium passes, with VIP behind-the-scenes access, are now on sale from St David’s Hall Box Office on +44 (0)29 20 878 444

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