MANCHESTER is to play host to one of the largest brass band festivals anywhere in the world, with the second Great Northern Brass Arts Festival taking place at The Bridgewater Hall next Saturday, September 7.

This year's festival will be looking at the famous years of the CWS (Manchester) Band and Alex Mortimer, their conductor in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, and the incomparable Harry Mortimer, whose name is synonymous with the Halle Orchestra, Fodens and Fairey Band.

The festival will showcase the world's finest brass bands, ensembles and soloists and the Black Dyke Band and Williams Fairey Band in the Gala Evening Concert starting from 7.15pm. Also appearing in the Gala Evening Concert will be one of the world's finest trumpet soloists - Martin Winter, formerly of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and Lyndon Baglin, a former principal player with CWS (Manchester) Band.

The festival concerts start at noon with a lunchtime effort featuring the Royal Northern College of Music Brass Band and star Salvation Army soloist Carl Saunders. This is followed by an afternoon concert (2.15pm), which features the internationally famous Household Troops Band.

In addition to the daytime

concerts there will be piazza concerts and foyer performances. It is anticipated that demand for ticket sales will be greater than availability.

A ticket which will allow entry to all concerts can be purchased for as little as £17 by telephoning 0161 907 9000. There are a limited number of tickets still available.

Festival Director, Philip Biggs, said: "It is tremendous that all the featured bands and soloists are able to perform in this major festival of brass band music.

"Manchester is seen as the world centre of brass bands by so many people and I am delighted that this festival is taking place at The Bridgewater Hall".