Shirley Band to hold Open Rehearsal and Mini-Concert

Shirley Band, one of the best brass bands from across the Midlands, is inviting music enthusiasts to attend a free-of-charge mini-concert and rehearsal before the band compete at the annual National Brass Band Championships held later this month.

The 28-strong band, which is holding the rehearsal and mini-concert on Friday 18 September, will perform and prepare The Alchymist's Journal by Kenneth Hesketh - as well as other more lighter repertoire. The 15-minute work is a tour-de-force designed to test all members of the band.

Brian Johnson, the band's secretary, said: " We're working really hard on preparing for the competition, and the mini-concert and rehearsal is a key part of that preparation.

"It is such an honour to be representing Shirley, Solihull and the Midlands at the competition, and we therefore decided we wanted to open up the preparations to the local community. We're really hoping that we get a good turn-out to help us on our way."

The first section national brass band championships will be held on Sunday, 20 September in Cheltenham, when the band will compete against 15 bands from across the UK. The band will be conducted at the competition and open rehearsal/mini-concert by Musical Director, David Bishop Rowe.

The band qualified for the competition in March of this year, when after competing against 20 bands other bands from across the Midlands, they clinched third place. The band's best competitive result before this one was when the band became Midlands Area Champions in the Second Section in 2003.

The 'open rehearsal and mini-concert' will start at 8pm and will be held at King George VIth Memorial Hall, 2655 Stratford Road (A34/A3400), Hockley Heath, Solihull, B94 5NH (with disabled access). Refreshments will also be available.

Anyone interested in attending the free-of-charge rehearsal should email brian@shirleyband.org.uk, tweet @shirleyband or contact the band via Facebook.