NATIONAL FESTIVAL
6-12 July 2009
Birmingham
Open Air and indoors, the National Festival has become one of the major highlights in the music education calendar. Packed with inspirational performances and workshops, this seven day Festival brings together over 10,000 of the country’s most exciting young performers - the next generation of the UK’s musical talent.
Monday 6 July
This seven day celebration of youth music-making kicks off with performances from some of the UK’s most engaging infant and junior groups. Meanwhile, an eclectic mix of ensembles ranging from percussion to brass to guitars to more unusual combinations and collaborations will perform in Town Hall.
SH Infants & Juniors From 10.30am
ABH Juniors From 11.00am
TH Ensembles From 11.00am
Tuesday 7 July
Day two of the Festival sees a second day of ensembles, this time performing in the Adrian Boult Hall. Town Hall and Symphony Hall will host some of the UK’s finest young voices, singing both modern and traditional choral arrangements.
SH Junior Choirs From 10.30am
TH Senior Choirs From 10.30am
ABH Ensembles From 11.00am
Wednesday 8 July
The world on a stage! The Adrian Boult Hall presents folk, roots and traditional music from across the globe. Over in Symphony Hall, the day starts with contemporary and traditional repertoire from school orchestras followed by stunning performances by young string and chamber orchestras.
SH School Orchestras/String & Chamber Orchestras From 11.00am
ABH Traditional & International Music From 11.00am
Thursday 9 July
Witness the technical virtuosity of the UK’s finest young brass bands and gifted chamber musicians in Symphony Hall and Town Hall. Later on, come and support the best of the UK’s up-and-coming young bands over in the 02 Academy 2.
SH Brass Bands From 10.30am
TH Chamber Music From 10.30am
O2A2 Rock, Pop & Urban* From 5.30pm
Friday 10 July
Dynamic school jazz groups perform a varied programme of jazz standards and original material in the Adrian Boult Hall, while Symphony Hall welcomes the flawless ensemble playing of young wind bands from across the country.
SH Wind Bands From 10.30am
ABH Jazz From 10.30am
Saturday 11 July
Prepare to marvel at the outstanding performances of the UK’s top youth orchestras playing in Symphony Hall. A second day of jazz in the Adrian Boult Hall will showcase diverse and innovative performances by inspiring young players.
SH Youth Orchestras From 10.30am
ABH Jazz From 11.00am
Sunday 12 July
A free concert in Symphony Hall celebrating the wealth of young choral talent from across Birmingham.
SH Sing for All** From 6.00pm
NF FRINGE FESTIVAL
Don’t miss out on the NF Fringe Festival! Throughout the week there will be workshops, conferences and brand new collaborative projects.
On Monday Trinity Guildhall’s Celebrating Whole Class Instrumental/Vocal Teaching event kicks off the Fringe Festival. Midweek is bursting with activities, including Singposium - the essential annual course for those working with young singers, the Music Education Council’s AGM, a showcase from Arts Award and the Festival’s first Urban Orchestra created in collaboration with Punch Records.
On Thursday hundreds of brass players from all over the UK will unite to perform a premiere, and the BRIT School will present One Vision New Versions.
Bringing the Fringe Festival to a close on Saturday, the NYMO Festival will see a selection of musicians from National Youth Music Organisations perform collectively for the very first time.
*Please note this programme is subject to change*
Performances will take place throughout the day and early evening.
*Rock, Pop & Urban is a separately ticketed event, email mfy@mfy.org.uk for details.
**Tickets are free of charge but must be booked through the Town Hall Symphony Hall Box Office on 0121 780 3333.
Venue Key
SHB - Symphony Hall
TH - Town Hall
ABH - Adrian Boult Hall
O2A2 - O2 Academy 2
