Redhills Youth Brass Band perform at Sage Gateshead

Despite only forming a matter of months ago, Redhills Youth Brass Band has completed their second project, which saw them perform at Sage Gateshead as part of The Black Dyke Band Christmas Extravaganza.

During the Christmas Extravaganza, performers from Black Dyke Band teamed up with band members of the Redhills Youth Band for a workshop which saw the young players playing alongside the best in the business.

Facilitated by Richard Marshall, Brett Baker and Dan Thomas, the workshops aimed to inspire young performers and showcase what is possible as a brass musician.

The Youth Brass Band members then had the opportunity to wow Sage visitors through a performance in the foyer, with the background of the River Tyne behind them.

They then had the spectacular opportunity to experience taking to the stage during the main event to enjoy a rousing encore in front of all of the Christmas Spectacular audience.

Nick Malyan, CEO of the Redhills Charity, is delighted with the achievements of the Youth Brass Band and said, "It was a joy to chaperone the young people and enjoy the entire day with them - what an exceptional group of young people they truly are. To play brass at such young ages is extraordinary enough, but Redhills, along with our partners, are delighted with the maturity and willingness to embrace all opportunities provided through the Redhills Youth Brass Band project so far. In the space of four months, they have met, rehearsed and already performed outside of the Gala Theatre in Durham and now in the Sage Gateshead - we couldn't be prouder of them".

Brass bands are central to Redhills heritage. As part of the redevelopment and restoration of Redhills and in line with our motto, ‘The past we inherit, the future we build’, Redhills is committed to providing opportunities for young people within County Durham communities which celebrate the coalfield culture we have enjoyed for so many years. The Redhills Youth Brass Band was the first step in the renewed Redhills Durham Miners Hall community activity plan ahead of the Miners Hall reopening to the public in 2024.