Cumbria Brass Network Continues Planning for Training Bands and Regional Activity

The latest Cumbria Brass Network meeting on 9 May continued a series of ongoing conversations between bands and brass organisations across the county about how practical collaboration can support local activity, particularly around training bands, youth development and community engagement.

Building on previous meetings, the focus this time was on sharing updates, identifying practical next steps and learning from projects already taking place in different parts of Cumbria.

Representatives from bands and organisations including Egremont Town Band, Kirkby Stephen Silver Band, Swinton and District Excelsior Band, Whitehaven Town Band, Ulverston Town Band and Cumbria Youth Brass Band contributed ideas and examples from their own local work.

Training Bands Remain a Key Focus

One of the strongest themes running through the evening was the importance, and complexity, of sustaining successful training bands.

Across the discussion, participants reflected on a number of ingredients that regularly appear to make beginner groups successful:

• committed and skilled musical leadership
• experienced players supporting learners
• strong links with schools and community organisations
• clear annual recruitment and performance cycles
• access to instruments, venues and suitable resources

Many contributors recognised that no single band will always have all of those elements in place at the same time, which is one reason the ongoing network meetings are proving useful. Bands are increasingly able to compare approaches, share practical ideas and learn from projects already working elsewhere in the county.

Several examples were discussed during the meeting, including:

• P-Buzz and whole-class brass programmes
• junior and training band structures
• daytime adult learner groups
• mixed-ability repertoire
• inclusive instrument adaptations
• beginner-friendly concert opportunities
• local school partnerships

There was also discussion around the importance of creating clearer pathways from school activity into local training bands, youth ensembles and senior bands.

Regional Projects and Shared Planning

The meeting included updates on a number of collaborative projects and events already being developed across Cumbria.

Gill Benjamin shared progress on the Barrow Park summer bandstand series, featuring six concerts involving local bands and supported through council funding.

Updates were also shared on preparations for Cumbria’s Big Brass Weekend, alongside longer-term discussions around future “Big Brass Day” activity designed to connect school projects, community bands and youth opportunities more effectively.

Participants discussed how regular communication between bands is already helping with:

• coordinating dates and avoiding clashes
• sharing workshop opportunities
• promoting events more widely
• exchanging repertoire and teaching ideas
• identifying funding opportunities
• supporting newer training band leaders

Several contributors commented that face-to-face meetings have been particularly valuable because they allow for informal conversations and practical problem-solving in a way that is difficult to replicate online.

Developing Practical Shared Resources

Following earlier meetings, the network is building practical shared resources, including:

• A coordinated regional brass events calendar
• A shared bank of training resources and repertoire ideas 
• Recruitment and signposting information for beginner players
• Shared knowledge around teacher training and up-skilling opportunities

There was also continued discussion around supporting inclusive participation, including the use of adapted instruments, flexible scoring and accessible ensemble repertoire.

Importantly, contributors emphasised that the aim is not to standardise how bands operate, but to make it easier for both bands and potential players to find the information they need and to maximise the reach of bands.

Looking Ahead

The ongoing network meetings are increasingly becoming a space where bands can:

• exchange ideas
• share what is working locally
• discuss common pressures
• coordinate activity where helpful
• build relationships across the county

Different bands will naturally engage in different ways and at different levels, but there was broad agreement that continuing regular in-person conversations is preferable to online conversations. 

Further discussions and updates will continue through the Cumbria Brass Facebook page and future Cumbria Brass Network meetings over the coming months.