Wharfe Brass from Otley in Yorkshire, recently celebrated its first birthday.

All ages

They were formed in March last year with just nine brass players of all ages after the culmination of many months planning and preparation to try and create a development band by Otley Band.

Lottery funding supported the purchase of some student model instruments and helped with room rental and music purchase.

Age range

Last Tuesday saw the first birthday celebration for 'Wharfe Brass' and its 38 players — ranging from 8 years to 'slightly more than quite a bit above retirement age'!

The band is now busy preparing for its first summer season of concerts and the Wharfedale Music Festival in May. With two previous successful concerts under its belt, the band is full of enthusiasm and confidence.

The band is sounding well and the younger players that I teach in the schools are making rapid progress now they have banding experience here – a real bonus for everyoneMD, Gordon Eddison

Great start

MD Gordon Eddison told 4BR: "What a great start, no one could have dreamed we could have grown so big – so soon! The band is sounding well and the younger players that I teach in the schools are making rapid progress now they have banding experience here – a real bonus for everyone."

He added: "We have seen the recent 're-birth' of a dying band on TV – here we have something completely new and fresh making its own history in Wharfedale."