Brass at the Castle is set to return for a second year, and as we approach this year’s festival, we are taking a look back and celebrating the progress that has been made in the world of brass in Cumbria since last year’s festival. We can tell you there is a lot to be excited about!
Keswick Training Band
Keswick Training Band is all set to expand its program with a new adult beginners class, KS1 Buzzkick. The group will run in addition to the already popular Kickstarters (beginners youth band) and Kickbrass (intermediate youth band), all led by Kaytie Harding. We wish this new group all the best and hope it will inspire more adults to get into the world of brass banding.
Cumbria Youth Brass Band
CYBB brings together youth players from all across the country and offers them a chance to connect, grow, and perform. This last year has seen the group expand by 50%— that’s double the players and double the events. It has been a huge effort from everyone involved, and it would not have been possible without the help of all the local bands and supports. We hope that this year’s festival will inspire even more people to get involved, and we will see this group continue to grow.
Appleby School Band
Appleby School has a new band! This May, as we approach the festival, the staff at Appleby School felt so inspired that they invited Drum and Brass to come along and establish a new school band. The primary school children will meet every Wednesday after school to practice together and work on their first performance.
Burnside Training Band
Burnside Training Band has welcomed a new leader in Lisa Crawley— we are sure she will do a great job at inspiring the next generation of players.
No Apologies Brass
Drum and Brass established a new ladies’ group this year, No Apologies Brass. The group aims to do things a little differently and create a safe space for a more loose style of music-making for anyone who identifies as female. The group met over the autumn months of last year and will likely be revived yearly for specific projects.
Anyway you look at it, things have certainly grown in Cumbria since last year’s Brass at the Castle, and we hope this year’s festival will inspire more good things to come, helping to secure the future of brass in our county.