About

In 2020, as pandemic struck, live music stopped, and the most memorable sound was birdsong.

In 2021, as some semblance of new normality returns, live music is back and Devonshire Quarter is delighted to host the world premiere of a specially written piece of music to be performed outdoors on the rooftop of the Congress Theatre, one our town’s most iconic buildings.

This new piece, Music for Rooftops, created by Eastbourne composer Clive Whitburn, and performed by internationally acclaimed Onyx Brass, will challenge, excite, inspire and enthral.

For the first half of the programme, Onyx Brass Quintet will perform: 

James Maynard - Fanfare 

J S Bach - Fugue in A flat major  

Dimitri Shostakovitch - Fugue in A flat major  

Malcolm Arnold - Quintet no 1

Charlotte Harding - Rhombus 

Jason Rebello - Inevitable Outcome 

After a short interval, Onyx Brass will be joined by 3 additional trumpets performing on the high balconies of the Welcome Building and roof of the Congress Theatre to perform acclaimed and international composer Clive Whitburn’s Music for Rooftops. 

Reflection, lament and expression of hope, Music for Rooftops offers a unique opportunity for the community to back come together and share a poignant moment as dusk falls at the end of long late summer Saturday. This promises to be a major musical moment and the advice is simply, be there!  

Concert programmes will be sold on the night, for a minimum donation of £3 - Our chosen charity to receive all donations will be Eastbourne’s Foodbank 

Having celebrated its 25th anniversary in the 2017-18 season, Onyx Brass continues to be the leading light in establishing the brass quintet as a medium for serious chamber music, presenting it in the entertaining and articulate style that has become the group’s trademark.

BBC Music Magazine described the group as “easily the classiest brass ensemble in Britain”, and Gramophone hailed “some of the most thrilling chamber brass-playing of its kind”. Onyx and its five recordings are also regularly featured on BBC Radio 3. The group has commissioned and performed the world premières of well over 100 new works, with many more in the pipeline.

Education is a large part of the remit of Onyx Brass: workshops and master-classes range from Primary School to the Juilliard School. The group is currently resident ensemble of Imperial College, University of London. Work with singers also forms a central part of Onyx’s work, often under the auspices of the John Armitage Memorial trust, with whom Onyx Brass has been affiliated since its inception. 

Places are limited and we anticipate much interest so book now to secure your place.

Music for Rooftops will premiere over the Bank Holiday weekend, on Saturday August 28, starting at 7pm. 

Press Quotes;

"easily the best brass ensemble in Britain"

BBC Music Magazine

“Wonderful, virtuosic brass quintet”

 Record Review, BBC Radio 3

fantastic classical brass quintet, their virtuosity is absolutely staggering…They are brilliant!

Sarah Walker, Sunday Morning, BBC Radio 3

The Oynx Brass players were really good teachers and nice to play with.

Theo, Year 5

It was very good and cool, I wish we can go again.

Harley, Radley Primary School

Please note. That parts of this concert will be live streamed. In the event of bad weather, the concert will take place inside the Welcome Building. This is an (unreserved) seated outdoor concert. Toilet facilities will be available, along with a fully stocked licensed bar.