Local MP Norman Lamb was on hand recently to see the amazing progress made in just eight weeks by over 50 children aged between 6 and 11, who started in a new training scheme developed by Stalham Band in North Norfolk.

Amazed

As part of Brass Band Week, the MP dropped into a practice to see how things were going on, and was amazed by the evidence he saw firsthand led by Stalham’s MD Dr. Tim Thirst MBE.

With help from the British Federation of Brass Bands and funding from many bodies including Arts Council England, and Norwich Town Close Estate Charity, young players from schools in the local area enjoy individual and ensemble training from a group of tutors, both during and after school, as well as during holidays.

Instruments are provided and the training also continues when they move up to High School.

Inspiration

After sitting in on the afternoon rehearsal the MP said: "Tim is an inspiration to you. To see so many children playing instruments is fantastic. This is a fantastic project and I look forward to returning to see the progress made in a few months. I am enormously impressed."

This is a fantastic project and I look forward to returning to see the progress made in a few months. I am enormously impressedMP, Norman Lamb

Speed lesson

Not willing to let any opportunity to train a new player pass by, the MP was given a speed lesson in cornet playing by Tim and after a few minutes, his newly gained musical skills left everyone impressed.