A newly formed company, IBB Media Ltd, has just launched a state-of-the-art multi-media platform entitled BrassPass which it hopes will unite brass communities across the world by bringing the very best that brass banding has to offer straight into the homes of music lovers.

Major events

The men behind the venture, David Kinross (President, Whitburn Band), Martin Gernon (Centre Stage Group) and Kenny Crookston (British Bandsman Managing Editor) aim to see BrassPass feature live streaming of major brass band contests and concerts, as well as provide new video shows concentrating on community and youth banding across the world.

Archived content and additional new audio and video content will also be uploaded regularly for subscribers.

Still Listening to the Band

They have also announced that they have secured the services of the 'Voice of Brass Bands' — Frank Renton — whose Radio 2 show 'Listen to the Band' will be retired by the BBC in May.

He will provide a brand new 'Frank Renton: Still Listening to the Band' free-to-air fortnightly show, bringing listeners across the world the chance to keep in touch with all the latest developments in the world of brass.

Frank commented: "I'm thrilled that the spirit of Listen to the Band will now live on under this incredible new platform. Being available worldwide, the show will have an international focus and feature topical news articles as well as the very best brass music in the world!"

The first edition of Frank Renton: Still Listening to the Band will be available from 15th May available only at www.brasspass.tv

Cory & Whitburn launch concert

The launch of BrassPass will occur this Thursday (5th April) with a special 'Champions in Concert' broadcast, live from Edinburgh featuring the current Scottish Champion Whitburn and the world's number 1 ranked band, Cory.

Access to the concert is available worldwide with a one-day concert pass for just £4.99 available at www.brasspass.tv

European Championship coverage

It has also been announced that BrassPass will be broadcasting the 2018 European Brass Band Championships — live from Utrecht between from the 4th- 6th May.

BrassPass will bring live, top-quality audio and video coverage of the contests, gala concert and results ceremony — hosted on secure servers with access to unlimited broadcast bandwidth t ensure quality retention throughout the stream.

Subscriptions to BrassPass start at just £6.99 per month and represent terrific value for any lover of brass band music. Whichever part of the world you are inDave Kinross

Terrific

Speaking on behalf of the BrassPass team, David Kinross told 4BR: "We have lined up a terrific array of new presenters for our groundbreaking service, plus there are also a number of new initiatives planned including online masterclasses, exclusive concert performances, recitals and live streaming of major brass band competitions around the world."

Subscribe

He added: "Subscriptions to BrassPass start at just £6.99 per month and represent terrific value for any lover of brass band music. Whichever part of the world you are in."

For further details go to: www.brasspass.tv