EXCITING times for the world of brass with the launch of a new festival which will showcase some of the world’s finest bands.

The first Great Northern Spring Brass Arts Festival will be held at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, home of the Hallé Orchestra.

The festival will not only feature some of the best known names in the brass band world, but will also look mightily familiar to those used to going to brass extravaganzas at the Bridgewater - but in early autumn.

For the last dozen years, Manchester has hosted a September event featuring the world’s best bands, ensembles and soloists.

This new event has a similar feel with Welsh banding giants Cory Band, seen in Huddersfield Town Hall just before Christmas, appearing in a gala concert at the Bridgewater Hall on May 9 alongside Foden’s Band.

Cory, conducted by Dr Robert Childs, are current Welsh, British Open, European and World Champions and will surely set the standard for this new festival.

Other concerts will feature Brighouse and Rastrick Band. They will play in the hall at 4pm.

Wingates Band, one of the oldest bands are expected to open the new event with a concert at noon followed at 2.15pm by former British Open and National Champion Band, Leyland.

Festival director Philip Biggs said: “It is tremendous that all these bands and soloists are able to perform in this major new festival.”

Tickets on 0161 907 9000.