Band joins Bold as Brass proms after surviving blow

Credit: EBC

Music-lovers across Erewash are again being invited to a summer season of proms as the council stages its annual Bold as Brass concerts – in the wake of one of the borough’s top bands surviving a huge blow that almost saw it quit playing.

Ilkeston Brass kicked off this year’s calendar of free performances with one in the town’s Victoria Park on Sunday 7th June – less than a year after it faced having to disband owing to a dwindling number of players.

Its desperate SOS for fresh blood was featured on the BBC news – leading to a surge in recruits. The band, which has a history dating back more than a century, is still searching for new cornet players but is now trumpeting a bright future.

A post that was shared on its Facebook page declared as rehearsals got back into full swing: “The band is now looking ahead with fresh energy.”

Bold as Brass will be taking place over the next three months and will feature three different bands.

All the concerts are on Sundays apart from the August finale, which will be at Erewash Museum in Ilkeston on Saturday 15th August.

The remaining programme is:.

🎵 Sunday 14th June: Long Eaton Silver Prize Band at West Park, Long Eaton, 2pm to 4pm.

🎵 Sunday 26th July: Ilkeston Brass band at Victoria Park, Ilkeston, 6pm to 8pm.

🎵 Sunday 9th August: Beeston Big Band at West Park, Long Eaton, 2pm to 4pm.

🎵 Saturday 15th August: Beeston Big Band at Erewash Museum, Ilkeston,1pm to 3pm.

Cllr Becca Everett, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “It is music to our ears that the crisis is over for Ilkeston Brass, whose performances are always a highlight of our concert season. The other featured bands are also sure to wow residents – who can look forward to relaxing in glorious surroundings amid what will hopefully be continuing fine weather this summer.”