FANS of brass music are in for a real treat this autumn.

The 39th Brass in Concert Championship will feature the world-renowned Grimethorpe Colliery band; Cory – ranked number one in the world; and others including the pride of the North-East, the Reg Vardy Band.

The contest will be held at the Sage Gateshead on Sunday, November 15 and the draw has just been announced.

Leyland will perform first, Cory are sixth, Grimethorpe eighth and Reg Vardy the 11th and final band to take to the stage.

Graeme Tindall, manager of Reg Vardy Band, said: “Work has already started with a visit from our Danish composer in residence, Jacob Vilhem Larsen, who has recently completed a programme of original, innovative and of course entertaining music.

“The band will also team up with our professional musical director, Russell Gray, who will lead our performance on the day. It goes without saying that Reg Vardy Band is very much looking forward to this year’s Brass in Concert Championship.”

The day before, there will be events focused on youth, education and participation including brass and percussion workshops and taster sessions.

A gala concert will be given on the Saturday evening at 7pm by Black Dyke Band, currently British Open, National and European champions, with Professor Nicholas Childs conducting and featuring Philip Cobb, principal trumpet at the London Symphony Orchestra. BBC Radio 2’s Frank Renton will compere and tickets are £11.50 to £25.50.

The championship was first held in Darlington to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 but was so popular it has returned each year since, being held at the Sage for the last decade.

The event starts at 9.30am. Tickets are priced £13.50 to £31.50.

For full details, call 0191-443-4661 or visit sagegateshead.com