A new brass band has been formed called Storm Brass, which will hold its very first rehearsal later this mont in Newton Abbot.

Mix

Storm Brass will bring together a mix of top class brass and percussion players from across the region under the direction of Simon Dobson.

The band will be based in Devon, which is perhaps the only county in England never to have had a top class brass band competing in the Championship Section, unlike the neighbouring counties in the south west of Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset and Avon.

Aims and objectives

Storm Brass aspires to become the first band in Devon to achieve Championship status.

We hope the formation of Storm Brass will prove to be a catalyst in bringing a top class, well managed brass band to DevonBand Manager, Ken Cassidy

Excites

MD Simon Dobson told 4BR: "The formation of Storm Brass is something that really excites me. Having a top quality brass ensemble based here can only enrich the opportunities for composers such as myself to explore new ways of opening up fantastic music to new audiences."

Catalyst

Band Manager, Ken Cassidy added: "We hope the formation of Storm Brass will prove to be a catalyst in bringing a top class, well managed brass band to Devon. We hope that top players will no longer be drawn down into Cornwall but will now find an outlet to perform here."

He added: "We have a very clear aim to develop not only a top contesting band – but also to instigate a long term legacy of high quality brass playing into the artistic culture of the County. We want to inspire young people to play by being part of the youth culture (the band will provisionally be playing at two top festivals in the County), and by engaging directly with the regions schools."

Active

The band has already been active in its promotion and have a number of engagements booked up and have already received their first sponsorship from a corporate supporter to allow them to commission and purchase some new music.