Blowing their own trumpets! Big donation of instruments sets Pentland Brass Band up to attract new members
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Thurso-based Pentland Brass Band has recently received a large donation of instruments and is now seeking new recruits to try them out.
Assistant bandleader Katrina Gordon said “We’re so grateful for this gift, which included tenor horns, baritones, euphoniums and trombones. It couldn’t have come at a better time for the band as we emerge from the pandemic lull and we’ll be excited to get some new members learning to play on them.”
Playing on the largest instrument in the band, the Bb bass, Angus Cowap is also keen to encourage some more recruits, young and old, to join in.
“Everyone is welcome,” he said, “and they will provide you with an instrument to have a tootle on… or a blast. It’s fun and it turns out it’s very good for you too – excellent for team building, mental health and musical enjoyment. If you or anyone you know is inclined to participate, don’t be shy, get in touch. You might even enjoy it!”
The junior section of the band has also been chosen as one of Tesco’s three Bags of Help community grants, so starting in April shoppers will be able to vote for them in store using their blue tokens.
Katrina explained: “We’ll use the funds raised to buy some more cornets for the junior band – it’ll balance up that generous donation of bigger horns and give the junior band a real boost. If we manage to get the most votes, we’ll be able to buy six new cornets and get six more children joining in with the music making.”
The Daniel McLean Memorial Fund has also recently awarded £120 to the Pentland Brass Band to buy training books for their learners' band to encourage group music making in the county.
The band rehearses every Friday evening at Thurso Baptist Church. Adults and children aged eight and over are welcome to join the band, which caters for all levels whether you’re a complete beginner, a rusty learner who hasn’t played in a while, or a fully fledged and experienced band player already.
To find out more, contact see the Pentland Brass Band Facebook page, or call Katrina on 01847 893517 or bandleader Ricky Mackay on 01847 896108.
