Taste of Brass inspires over a hundred kids to try brass instruments

The free events where everyone could try a brass instrument – whether they have played before or not - was organised by Egremont Town Band and Brass Bands England.

On January 28, they welcomed adults and children to Egremont’s St Mary & St Michael’s Church Hall where they could try euphoniums, cornets, horns and more at the same time as enjoying special performances from the Town Band which has been part of the community since 1904.

The showcase of brass also saw a series of workshops take place at two of Egremont’s primary schools - Bookwell and Orgill - to inspire the next generation of players and encourage a love of music in general and brass in particular.

Brass Bands England was supporting the event through their Arts Council backed education programme, Brass Foundations, which aims to promote the recruitment of new players.

Stuart Humphries, the chair of Egremont Town Band whose two daughters, Isobel (12) and Phoebe (8), and dad Philip are also members, said: “It was amazing to have the opportunity to pass on our love of brass to so many people of all ages from across West Cumbria at our Taste of Brass events.

“Thank you to Brass Bands England for supporting our efforts and to the dozens of children and adults from Egremont and beyond who joined us at Bookwell and Orgill Primaries and at St Mary & St Michael’s Church Hall.”

“Our 118-year-old Egremont Town Band can only survive if we can encourage more people to pick up an instrument and join us to play and perform.

“That is why events like this are so important and they make me confident that, with the support of the West Cumbrian community we are so proud to be a part of, we have a strong, bright and loud future.”

Anyone inspired to join the Egremont Town Band can find out more on their website and on social media.

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