Big Brass Bash events a hit in County Durham

The Big Brass Bash events have been held at parks across County Durham this week.

Groups worked with Northern Monkey Brass Band to perfect their sets ahead of the concerts in local parks across the county.

Band member Graham Hardy said: “We are really excited to be part of these community events and rehearsals were all fantastic.

“By bringing people together like this it means that the Big Brass Bash isn’t just some bands playing a gig – it’s their own gig too and their association to it becomes much closer as a result."

“All of the performances have been very different as we have been working with groups from samba drummers to a ukulele orchestra and the street bands are getting involved as well.”

One of the groups which has taken part in the festival is Runaway Samba, an intergenerational community band which grew out of a Youth Music funded project delivered by Jack Drum Arts in Crook six years ago.

Fifteen of the band’s regular attendees took part in the performance at Glenholme Park in Crook on Tuesday, July 17.

“We had a great rehearsal with Northern Monkey which was so much fun – we all enjoyed the challenge of coming up with great music on the spot as part of the collaboration,” said Laura Emerson Roberts, lead arts and music worker at Jack Drum Arts.“It was great to perform for our own community at such a high profile event and I think audiences were impressed at the quality of music as well as our fast-paced set.”

Other community performances include Greenfield Arts at Hackworth Park in Shildon and ukulele groups at Jubilee Park in Spennymoor.

Kylie Lloyd, community arts manager at Durham County Council, said: “We are delighted to be involved with supporting local groups to take part in the Big Brass Bash events.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate local talent and hopefully inspire people to get involved with playing music.”

For more information about the festival visit brassfestival.co.uk