THIS year’s line-up for the Brass in Concert Festival at Sage Gateshead includes a strong North-East presence.

The 43rd Brass in Concert Festival, held in association with Yamaha Banks Group and British Bandsman, will take place on the weekend of November 16 and 17. It will include the much-anticipated Brass in Concert Championship, the second Youth Brass in Concert Championship and a Classic Brass gala concert featuring Brighouse and Rastrick with euphonium virtuoso David Childs.

This year’s Brass in Concert Championship features three North-East bands, including the North of England champions NASUWT Riverside, who are making their Brass in Concert debut. They join the regional champions City of Hull and Reg Vardy, who are making a record 40th appearance.

Dutch contender Brass Band Schoonhoven will make a welcome return while the new French champion, Hautes-de-France will make its debut at Gateshead under Luc Vertommen.

Brass in Concert chairman, John Woods, said: “We are delighted that the 43rd Brass in Concert Championship will feature such an excellent line-up. We will be especially pleased to be joined by two outstanding bands from France and the Netherlands, as well as European and defending Brass in Concert Champions Cory, 2017 National Champions Brighouse and Rastrick and eight other great bands from the UK.”

Seven youth bands will entertain in the Youth Brass in Concert Championship. The bands, who will compete for a first prize of £1,000, will perform a 20-minute own-choice entertainment set. The band placed second will receive £500 and all other bands will receive £250.

The weekend’s proceedings will be introduced for the 26th time by the legendary Frank Renton. There will also be tasters and workshops across the two-day festival.

Tickets, from £6, are available from Sage Gateshead Box Office on 0191 443 4661 or see www.sagegateshead.com.