What's On — All events

National Youth Orchestra ...
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Wed 4 Aug 7:30pm Symphony Hall

A fantastic summer concert on a fantastical theme: _Symphonie Fantastique_, _The Sorcerer’s Apprentice_ and Julian Anderson’s _Fantasias_ played by ‘_the most uplifting orchestra in the world_.’ (The Times) Conductor Semyon Bychkov works his magic on these inspiring young musicians, described by The Independent as ‘_breathtakingly good . . . they played, quite simply, like professionals_.’
*National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain* *Conductor* _Semyon Bychkov_
*Dukas* _The Sorcerer's Apprentice_ *Julian Anderson* _Fantasias_ (European Premiere) *Berlioz* _Symphonie Fantastique_
Rush Hour Blues - Del Cam... Brindley Place
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Fri 6 Aug 5:30pm Book through our ticket office for BrindleyPlace

_It’s free and it really is the place to be_ Birmingham Post
Tiny Tours!
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Sat 7 Aug 10:00am Town Hall

Enjoy a craft session and an interactive, fun and family-friendly tour of the magnificent Town Hall.
Tiny Tours!
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Sat 7 Aug 11:00am Town Hall

Enjoy a craft session and an interactive, fun and family-friendly tour of the magnificent Town Hall.
Tiny Tours!
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Sat 7 Aug 12:00pm Town Hall

Enjoy a craft session and an interactive, fun and family-friendly tour of the magnificent Town Hall.
Rush Hour Blues - Tim Ama...
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Fri 13 Aug 5:30pm Book through our ticket office for BrindleyPlace

Pianist/composer Tim Amann leads one of the most popular Rush Hour Blues bands, featuring excellent tunes and the great saxophone playing of Sam Rogers.
The National Children's O... Under 13 Orchestra
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Sat 14 Aug 7:00pm Town Hall

Fresh from the fireworks of performing Tchaikovsky’s 1812, this is your chance to enjoy a sizzling, _Summertime_ soiree with some of the country’s finest young musical talent. 'Genuinely moving' The Guardian
*Roger Clarkson* _conductor_
*Smetana Overture* to _The Bartered Bride_ *Curtis* _Autumn Song_ *Korngold* Theme from _The Sea Hawk_ *Goodwin* Theme from _The Trap_ *Gershwin* _Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture_
Rush Hour Blues - Mama Ma...
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Fri 20 Aug 5:30pm Book through our ticket office for BrindleyPlace

Led by singer and guitarist Daz Dolchek, Mama Matrix play a lively mix of folk and Balkan jazz; perfect for a summer evening.
Rush Hour Blues - Mike Ha...
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Fri 27 Aug 5:30pm Book through our ticket office for BrindleyPlace

MJHQ bring together jazz, blues and soul in this gig featuring singer Sarah Winton.
158th British Brass Band ...
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Sat 4 Sep 10:30am Symphony Hall

17 Championship bands compete for the coveted British Open Trophy, playing a new work by internationally acclaimed composer Peter Graham, _On the Shoulders of Giants_, which draws on influences from Sousa, Bruckner and Tommy Dorsey- a rare mixture.

*Peter Graham* On the Shoulders of Giants
Brass Band Gala
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Sun 5 Sep 2:30pm Symphony Hall

The Who’s Who of brass bands - Black Dyke Band, Cory Band and the Grimethorpe Colliery Band come together for a magnificent Gala Concert. Hear the new BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist of the year, Matthew White, and thrill to a spectacular finale when the Black Dyke and Cory Bands combine to perform as one massed band. A must for all brass fans.
Modified Toy Orchestra pr... with special guest Micronormous
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Wed 8 Sep 8:00pm Town Hall

After international performances to critical and audience acclaim, MTO return to their hometown for this UK premiere of their new album _Plastic Planet_, performed using *only* modified toys. With its subtle ecological concerns, cinematic soundscapes and joyous electronic pop music, this will be a truly a unique and uplifting experience. Modified Toy Orchestra rescue electronic toys from car boot sales and convert them into new, strange and wonderfully sophisticated musical instruments. Taking them apart, they find new connections within each toy and explore the latent potential and surplus value inherent in these liberated circuits. Guided by this hidden world, they seek to make a form of music devoid of personal narrative or autobiography, instead asking bigger questions about our relationship with the next new gadget or our desire for the constant upgrade. Five years in the making, _Plastic Planet_ continues MTO's philosophy of performing live electronic music without the use of laptops, sythesisers or samplers. No conventional instruments of any kind are used at all - a philosophy which began with their debut album, _Toygopop_. On _Plastic Planet_ they develop further concerns: themes of utopian bliss on _Funfair for the Common Man_; the rise of the information age on _Qwerty_, the collapse of empire on _Great Kings Fall_ and the consequences of ecological vandalism on _Earth One_. Regular conductors Brian Duffy ('_a national treasure_’ - mute), Dreams of Tall Buildings Darren Joyce, Pram’s Laurence Hunt and AV artist Chris Plant are joined by new members Graeme Rose and Sean Tighe in this epic UK premiere performance.
BBC Big Band meets the No...
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Fri 10 Sep 8:00pm Town Hall

A unique ArtsFest collaboration and jazz celebration as Town Hall Associate Artist the BBC Big Band join forces with Birmingham-based community big band The Notebenders.
*Jiggs Whigham* _conductor_
Family Friendly Artsfest
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Town Hall & Symphony Hall

Town Hall & Symphony Hall Foyers. Family friendly activities will be on offer throughout the day. Come and join the celebration.
Strings in the city with ...
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Sat 11 Sep 12:00pm Symphony Hall

Musicians from Town Hall Associate Artist Orchestra of the Swan will bring the region’s string players together in a massed performance of Vaughan Williams’s Concerto Grosso for String Orchestra. A unique opportunity to play or hear this great work. Get involved: If you play a string instrument at Grade 2 or above, we’d like to invite you to perform in Strings in the City. Pre registration is essential, please email Katie.Banks@thsh.co.uk or call 0121 644 5183.
A Taste of Town Hall
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Sat 11 Sep 12:00pm Town Hall

Free showcase performances from the Town Hall Associate Artists: *12 noon Ex Cathedra* Town Hall’s associate choir showcases its beautiful and faultless singing. The choir’s international reputation goes from strength to strength, come and hear why. *1.30pm Black Voices* From gospel to spirituals, Caribbean to African, jazz and blues, Birmingham’s Black Voices is firmly rooted in music that energises and uplifts, challenges and educates. *3pm Town Hall Gospel Choir* The hall’s acclaimed gospel choir performs music to thrill and inspire. *4.30pm Organ Demonstration* A demonstration of Town Hall’s awe-inspiring organ by organist Andrew Fletcher.
Mid-day Mantra - Faheem M...
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Sat 11 Sep 2:00pm Symphony Hall

A taster session for Symphony Hall and Sampad’s monthly lunchtime Asian chill series, Mid-day Mantra. Be transported by the magical singing of Faheem Mazhar, acclaimed master of the ancient Indian vocal tradition and student of some of the greatest classical gurus.
Folk for Free Season
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Sat 11 Sep 4:30pm Symphony Hall Foyer Bars

Come and join us after work and enjoy some of the best in contemporary folk music from the Midlands. With the exception of this month's launch at ArtsFest, Folk for Free will run monthly on a Thursday from 5.30pm - 7pm.
Folk For Free - Elfynn
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Sat 11 Sep Symphony Hall

The launch of a new free monthly series. Elfynn play a vibrant mix of traditional and contemporary tunes on fiddle and accordion with a back line of driving danceable rhythms, grooving bass and fiery electric guitar.
Poet and Pianist
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Symphony Hall

Julie Boden, Symphony Hall’s Poet in Residence, and jazz pianist/composer Steve Tromans perform _The Piano Room_, a suite of poems and music inspired by the Hall’s mysterious piano store. There will be an opportunity to go backstage and visit the store at the end of the performance.