Birmingham Contemporary Music Group head to Brindleyplace on Sunday 22 March at 3pm for the fifth edition of their ever-popular Cherry Blossom Concert.

This free, hour-long event has become a fixed part of Birmingham’s cultural calendar. Now in its fifth year, the concert takes place under the pink flowering cherry trees in Oozells Square in Brindleyplace, outside Ikon Gallery.

This year, the whole audience is invited to join in with a performance of Steve Reich’s Clapping Music, one of minimalism’s most iconic rhythmic works. BCMG’s percussionists will guide the audience through this piece, giving people the rare - and fun - opportunity to perform alongside the world-class musicians of BCMG.

Steve Reich is respected as a pioneer of contemporary minimalist music. Composed in 1976, Clapping Music was originally intended for two solo performers. Based entirely on rhythm and tone, the piece contains no melody, instruments or voices, just the sound of two people clapping a fast-paced synchronised rhythm.

This year’s Cherry Blossom concert allows the percussionists of BCMG to take centre stage. As well as Clapping Music, there’s also a performance of Steve Reich’s Drumming Part 1 – a rhythmic work for four drums – and Theo Loevendie’s Doppleriana, a piece performed by three cowbells. George Lewis’s Oraculum, a solo masterclass in trombone playing, completes the programme.

The Cherry Blossom Concert is free entry. Drop in and out as you please – and make an afternoon of it by visiting one of the many cafes and attractions in Brindleyplace.

For more information, visit: bcmg.org.uk