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Writer's pictureGethin Thomas

The Library of Birmingham Opening Ceremony

3rd September 2013


Birmingham City University. A mass of brass players from across the West Midlands are to mark the official opening of Birmingham's brand new library next week with a large-scale performance at the £188 million facility.


'Together We Breathe', an innovative take on the traditional fanfare created by Australian sound artists Super Critical Mass, will bring together local brass players of all ages and backgrounds to set the tone for the Library of Birmingham - Europe's largest civic building.


Musicians including staff and students from Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University, will be positioned throughout the library on Tuesday 3 September and fill the air with sound as visitors are invited to wander on a journey of discovery through the new building and its state-of-the-art facilities, revealing the Library's collections and resources.







Zoe Poyser, Orchestral Manager at Birmingham Conservatoire, said: "We're delighted to be involved in such an innovative fanfare to mark the opening of the new Library of Birmingham.


"Following an inspirational workshop with the sound artists from Super Critical Mass, we soon extended the call for participants to the whole of Birmingham City University, inviting any of our staff and student brass players to get involved and perform alongside a wide range of local musicians.



"'Together We Breathe' should prove to be a great experience for visitors as the musical and visual impact encourages them to explore the new building."


Other performers at the Library's opening event include young musicians from local schools and colleges as well as City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) ensembles.










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4 Comments


Chucks Digital Photography
Chucks Digital Photography
Aug 19, 2022

Great series Gethin, I really like the image of the three musicians facing the glass with the distorted reflection.

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Gethin Thomas
Gethin Thomas
Aug 19, 2022
Replying to

Thanks Chuck. A lot of this one was luck. Just being in the right place at the right time.😊

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Unknown member
Aug 19, 2022

No way Hose did you post this on the other site, (times gone by) because I would have remembered it 😁. I really liked it because of the kids's faces you captured...some seemed to be into the whole process and the others...well not so much. I think what I really like most is the "overhead" captures because yours truly did the same thing on her last photo shoot, for that just because effect. Obviously, you were the first here ;)

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Gethin Thomas
Gethin Thomas
Aug 19, 2022
Replying to

I only did it as a one photo post on Photoblog. That lead photo. The overhead wasn't my choice but it worked really well. That was the only view point available. Couldn't get near the official opening part because of the worlds press. Also security was massive as it was opened by Malala Yusufzai, the young girl who was shot in the face by the Taliban and who was flown to Birmingham for life saving operations. She went on to study at Birmingham University.

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