A number of brass bands based in and around the Rotherham area of south Yorkshire recently took the opportunity to perform in an unusual, inspirational venue.

Let's play

'Let's Play Brass', saw four bands play at Magna Science Adventure Centre's Red Hall, as part of the latest work led by the Rotherham Brass Collective, a network of local bands supported by Brass Bands England Liaison Officer, Rachel Veitch-Straw.

Inspired by the ongoing success of the Whiston Festival of Brass, and the Sheffield Brass Network, the initiative was led by Rotherham Music Hub and arranged by well known brass band organiser, Rob Brown.

First step

He told 4BR: "'Let's Play Brass' was a first step in getting bands to work more closely together.

Our aim is to offer more chances for youngsters to link up with local bands, and for the band to share their communal experience and talents for what we hope will become a family-focused Christmas brass extravaganza each year."

The event was supported by Magna, the award-winning science centre and visitor attraction set in the former Templeborough steelworks, with the extravaganza also featuring Hatfield Band, with special guest, soprano cornet legend Kevin Crockford.

Our aim is to offer more chances for youngsters to link up with local bands, and for the band to share their communal experience and talents for what we hope will become a family-focused Christmas brass extravaganza each yearRob Brown

Great success

It proved to be a great success, as Jeremy Wade of Rotherham Music Hub told 4BR: "Our young people had an amazing time and learned something from each performance.

They were inspired by the quality playing of the young soloists in Thorpe Hesley and Dinnington Bands, and of course thrilled by Kevin and the Hatfield sound, not to mention their Christmas fun and frolics."