IT IS one of the biggest brass festivals of the summer, a brass extravaganza.

Some of the world’s finest brass bands, ensembles and soloists will be heading for Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall in early September for the 12th Great Northern Brass Arts Festival.

The Brighouse and Rastrick Band, Black Dyke Band and Fodens Band will all appear in a gala concert at the hall on September 5 at 7.15pm.

But the music will have started much earlier in the day with bands marching in the city’s streets from 10am followed by a lunchtime concert at noon featuring one of the best known Salvation Army bands in the world, the Household Troops Band, whose membership is drawn from across the country.

The best of a new generation of young players feature in the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain which will play at the Bridgewater Hall at 2.15pm.

An early evening concert featuring former British Open Champions, the Leyland Band, begins at 4.15pm.

In addition to the day’s major concerts, there will be performances on the piazza and in the foyer.

Tickets available on 0161 9079000.