Birmingham’s music and poetry scene is to be celebrated in a special one-off concert on Westside forming part of a cultural festival associated with the Commonwealth Games
B:Music, the music charity responsible for Symphony Hall and Town Hall, will host the large-scale concert on the Symphony Hall stage on Friday 17 June as part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival.
Beyond the Bricks of Brum will feature more than 100 musicians, with some of Birmingham’s most exciting and talented performing artists being partnered with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
The concert sits within the six-month festival shining a spotlight on creativity in the West Midlands that runs alongside the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Under the baton of Principal Guest Conductor, Dalia Stasevska, and featuring arrangements and orchestrations by Jules Buckley, the BBC Symphony Orchestra will play brand new arrangements and compositions from the likes of internationally renowned a cappella quintet Black Voices, Birmingham Poet Laureate Casey Bailey and rapper and MC Sanity, plus other invited guest artists.
This one-off performance will showcase the very best of Birmingham to the world, celebrating the city’s musical place in the Commonwealth and looking forward to the future of the music and spoken word scenes in the city.
The three lead artists, Casey Bailey, Sanity, and Shereece Storrod of Black Voices, were asked to invite other local artists who they felt should also have the opportunity to have their work accompanied and arranged alongside the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
The four invited artists are poet and rapper John Bernard, spoken-word poet Jasmine Gardosi, hip-hop artist TrueMendous, and singer and composer Agaama.
Nick Reed, Chief Executive of B:Music, said they were thrilled to be producing Beyond the Bricks of Brum as their “flagship contribution” to the Birmingham 2022 Festival.
He added: “Commissioned specially for the festival, this show brings together some of the most exciting, inspiring and melodic voices from across the region in a real celebration of home-grown talent.
“Using brand new arrangements, these voices will combine with the BBC Symphony Orchestra on the Symphony Hall stage to create something very special. From Birmingham with love, to the Commonwealth and beyond, this is sure to be a night to remember.”
Shereece Storrod, Artistic Director of Black Voices added: “We delighted to be involved in this amazing concert, collaborating with some of Brum’s finest talent and celebrating the variety of musical styles and art forms that this wonderful city has to offer.
“Where better to hold this extravaganza of singing, spoken word and live orchestra than at Symphony Hall? Prepare to be moved, challenged and to experience great talent in our home city.”
As a legacy to the Commonwealth Games, B:Music have also named a seat in Symphony Hall after the international sporting event. Row B, seat 22 in the stalls will honour the Games’ part in demonstrating the very best of Birmingham to the world and showcasing the region’s strengths.
Beyond the Bricks of Brum will take place at Symphony Hall on Friday 17 June at 8pm. Tickets from £38 are available from https://bmusic.co.uk/events/beyond-the-bricks-of-brum-feat-bbc-symphony-orchestra-black-voices-casey-bailey-sanity
All photos by Jonathan Williams.
