The Moss Rose Community Band held its first rehearsals this week with a healthy turn out of fledgling musicians keen to bring the sound of brass to the Moss Rose estate in Macclesfield.

New band

The new band has been set up by volunteers with the aim of bringing together members of the community to enjoy learning a new skill and playing music together.

New recruits

Band tutors, Louise Renshaw and Liz Hudson are encouraging more people to come along and join in.

Louise told 4BR: "We have about 15 new recruits and would encourage others to turn up and give it a try. Everyone is starting from scratch so it is a unique opportunity to learn something different and make new friends at the same time."

Everyone is starting from scratch so it is a unique opportunity to learn something different and make new friends at the same timeLouise Renshaw

Initiative

Rehearsals are at Ash Grove School on Wednesday evenings and Thursday mornings. Instruments are provided and the sessions are free.

The band is an initiative of the Moss Rose Partnership which works to develop services for people living on the Moss Rose Estate.

Good example

Committee member and Chair of Governors at Ash Grove School, Sue Bowen told 4BR: "This is a good example of positive collaboration between various organisations in the community. Ash Grove School is delighted to provide the rehearsal facilities and together with the recent introduction of the Wider Opportunities programme for children at the school, we are hoping that the brass band will bring even more music making to the school."