Band joins Bold as Brass proms after surviving blow

Credit: EBC

Music-lovers across Erewash have one last chance to enjoy part of a summer season of proms as the borough 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.”

All the concerts so far have been on Sundays, however, the finale to the season is on a Saturday…

🎵 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.”