a day ago
Ilkeston Brass Band at 'crisis point' as new members sought
A historic Derbyshire brass band has said they may have to stop the music if they do not find new players and a conductor to lead Brass Band, which has been running under different guises for more than 100 years, said the appeal was a "last, desperate call" for people to join Norman, the band's secretary, said new recruits are needed for rehearsals for just two hours a week and it could be the difference between "survival and silence"."If you are that person, if you believe you can be the committed, constant musical director we so desperately need, please, get in touch," she said.
As well as a musical director, the band is looking for cornet Norman said since their long standing conductor retired five years ago, three people have held the position but have not stayed long enough to rebuild, which has left the group "exhausted from the instability and constant change".
The band secretary added they have lost key players to higher section bands and without urgent support, they "may soon be forced to sell up and disband completely"."At the moment, we have less numbers than we need for a full brass band and with the lack of a musical director, the two issues combined together means we're at a bit of crisis point" Ms Norman said."That's when we put out an advert to keep us going... we won't be able to fill the engagements and gigs we regularly get booked for like Remembrance Sunday."But Ms Norman added she has been "very encouraged so far" to the advert's response and received a lot of support from the brass band community."We've had offers of people taking up the musical director position temporarily and interest in taking it up permanently so it's been really positive," she added.
Ms Norman said there is a wider problem of brass bands being able to recruit new members."I do think there is less people these days learning to play an instrument, in general there's less music tuition in schools," she said."There was a lot of music in schools when I grew up and I don't think it's the same anymore."It's also a big commitment for people and it can be a lot of time, energy and money for people to put in to learn when you work full-time."Ms Norman added they also have a training band where people who are learning instruments can join them to hone their skills.
