Party people, soon-to-be-weds and live music fans could all be in with a chance of “winning a BRASS band” this summer.
To celebrate Durham BRASS Festival’s 10th anniversary, from July 14 to 17, organisers are offering families in County Durham a potential opportunity to have street style instrumentalists perform at their own event.
Kate James, the festivals and events manager for Durham County Council, which runs the annual celebration of musical culture and traditions, said: “All the bands are used to entertaining the crowds and have a real sense of showmanship.
“This is an incredible opportunity and could be a great fun way to make sure your house party, barbecue, school summer fete, or office team bonding day really stands out and is the talk of the town.”
To enter, in no more than 50 words, tell us what you would do if you won a BRASS band for a day.
Would you have them play at your wedding, a surprise party or a small gathering in your back garden? Perhaps you’d throw a street party and share the experience with your neighbours?
We have five prizes up for grabs, with winners receiving a private performance from one of five festival performers – the riotously entertaining French all-female sextet Les Bomb Zatomik, the vividly costumed and joyous Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band, Portuguese Dixieland jazz outfit Xaral’s Dixie, genre-mixing New Orleans jazz group Mr Wilson’s 2nd Liners or the high energy jazz and swing five-piece German Trombone Vibration – in the week of 11 to 15 July.
All of the bands will then join the line-up for Streets of BRASS, the free, pop-up brass concert across Durham City on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 July.
Streets of BRASS is one of the most popular aspects of the annual festival, drawing in thousands of visitors, and creating a terrific atmosphere.
And this year to celebrate ten years of BRASS there’ll be even more bands on street corners, spreading the party further across the centre of the city.
For more information about the festival and the competition visit the BRASS website, www.brassfestival.co.uk, or to enter email your entry to winaband@durham.gov.uk
Entries close at 5pm on Friday June 10 and winners will be announced on Tuesday June 21. Full competitions terms and conditions are available at www.brassfestival.co.uk.