Drum and Brass

The latest Cumbria newsletter has landed. You can read it here:

Cumbria Brass Network Newsletter - August 2026 Are you enjoying the summer? The weather has gone off a bit but I hope you’re still enjoying playing at all the shows and festivals that brighten up even rainy summer days. We are planning hard, because the big news for our network is the commencement of the Participation to Pathways project. 6 tr...

APPLICATION WINDOW CLOSES TOMORROW

We're looking for six rural training bands to join Participation to Pathways – an exciting 18-month pilot from Drum and Brass and the Cumbria Brass Network.

The project is designed to help create clear pathways from beginner learning through to community banding, supporting the long-term future of rural brass bands.
Successful partner bands will receive professional development and organisational support, access to new learning resources, opportunities to collaborate with bands across Cumbria and a £450 participation payment to help cover training and administration costs.

In return, bands will take part in six county-wide learning days, sharing ideas and helping shape a stronger future for brass banding.

If your band is passionate about growing and retaining the next generation of players, we'd love to hear from you.
Expression of Interest deadline is 7th August
Successful partner bands will be announced on August 10th

Read about the project here: https://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2026/2142.asp

Get in touch or complete an Expression of Interest form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_MK9NOVdVBfCWPBLmt5eigmr1pGzYtr92BZnqT-795Y/preview?edit_requested=true

DEADLINE FOR APPLICANTS IS THIS FRIDAY!

We're looking for six rural training bands to join Participation to Pathways – an exciting 18-month pilot from Drum and Brass and the Cumbria Brass Network.

The project is designed to help create clear pathways from beginner learning through to community banding, supporting the long-term future of rural brass bands.
Successful partner bands will receive professional development and organisational support, access to new learning resources, opportunities to collaborate with bands across Cumbria and a £450 participation payment to help cover training and administration costs.

In return, bands will take part in six county-wide learning days, sharing ideas and helping shape a stronger future for brass banding.

If your band is passionate about growing and retaining the next generation of players, we'd love to hear from you.
Expression of Interest deadline is 7th August
Successful partner bands will be announced on August 10th

Read about the project here: https://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2026/2142.asp

Get in touch or complete an Expression of Interest form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_MK9NOVdVBfCWPBLmt5eigmr1pGzYtr92BZnqT-795Y/preview?edit_requested=true

We're looking for enthusiastic people to join our school BAND! program in the new academic year this September.
Whether you're an experienced player looking to give something back, or you've never taught before, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn on the job.
You'll:
Be paid while you train
Work alongside an experienced brass facilitators
Gain hands-on experience delivering fun, engaging school sessions
Help young people discover the joy of making music
If you love brass banding and would like to develop new skills while making a real difference in local schools, we'd love to hear from you.

Fill in an expression of interest here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14L18s6-2iQcEocSs8fNeNlEKul-2qPXE/edit =h.vsxqp7apui7r

Have you ever wanted to learn a brass instrument?

Why not come along to one of our free Brass Taster Days and have a go! Whether you're completely new to music or just curious to see what brass banding is all about, everyone is welcome. Find us at:

Penrith – Castletown, Friday 14 August 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Dufton Show, Saturday 29 August, From 12:00 noon

We'll have instruments to try, friendly tutors on hand, and plenty of opportunities to make some noise!

Come along, bring your friends and family, and discover just how much fun brass music can be. We can't wait to meet you!

What a fantastic weekend we had at the Westmorland Dales Festival! It was a real pleasure to introduce so many people to brass playing, with children and adults alike picking up an instrument, making their first sounds and discovering what community music is all about. Thank you to everyone who came along to have a go, and to our brilliant team of facilitators and volunteers who made the sessions so welcoming and fun. We hope we've inspired a few new musicians, and we can't wait to see where their musical journeys take them!

Drum and Brass is proud to be partnering with Cumbria Community Orchestra over the coming year, creating even more opportunities for musicians across the county.
Here's what's coming up:

24 September – Join us at the Cumbria Community Orchestra Day

January 2027 – Look out for our Euphonium & Bass Day, celebrating the lower brass section with workshops and playing opportunities.

25 June 2027 – Our Big Brass Day returns and will once again launch Cumbria's Big Brass Festival, kicking off an exciting weekend of brass music across the county.
We're looking forward to working together and can't wait to share more details soon!

Welcome to Cumbria Youth Brass Band, Anna Hughes-Williams!

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Anna Hughes-Williams as the new Musical Director of Cumbria Youth Brass Band.
An internationally respected cornet player, conductor and brass educator, Anna brings an exceptional wealth of experience to the role. Having won every major title in British brass banding and received the prestigious Harry Mortimer Memorial Award for her outstanding contribution to youth brass music, she has spent her career inspiring and developing the next generation of brass players. She has also worked with the National Youth Brass Bands of Great Britain, Wales and Scotland, helping young musicians reach their full potential.
Anna said:
"I am delighted to be joining Cumbria Youth Brass Band as Musical Director and am excited to begin working with its talented young musicians.
My passion is bringing through the next generation of brass players and ensuring they are given the same opportunities I was fortunate enough to enjoy. Brass banding is about far more than musical excellence – it's about creating a positive, supportive and inspiring environment where every player feels valued, challenged and able to achieve more than they ever thought possible.
I am looking forward to building on the excellent work already taking place at Cumbria Youth Brass Band and helping its young musicians develop their musical skills, confidence and enjoyment of brass banding for many years to come."
We are incredibly excited for the future of CYBB under Anna's leadership and can't wait to see where this new chapter takes our talented young musicians.
Please join us in giving Anna a very warm welcome!

We're looking for six rural training bands to join Participation to Pathways – an exciting 18-month pilot from Drum and Brass and the Cumbria Brass Network.

The project is designed to help create clear pathways from beginner learning through to community banding, supporting the long-term future of rural brass bands.
Successful partner bands will receive professional development and organisational support, access to new learning resources, opportunities to collaborate with bands across Cumbria and a £450 participation payment to help cover training and administration costs.

In return, bands will take part in six county-wide learning days, sharing ideas and helping shape a stronger future for brass banding.

If your band is passionate about growing and retaining the next generation of players, we'd love to hear from you.
Expression of Interest deadline in 20 August
Successful partner bands will be announced: 30 August

Get in touch or complete an Expression of Interest form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_MK9NOVdVBfCWPBLmt5eigmr1pGzYtr92BZnqT-795Y/preview?edit_requested=true