The recently formed Moss Rose Community Band in Macclesfield has received a triple cash boost to buy instruments and equipment to help members of the local community learn to play a brass instrument.

Triple boost

The band received a Community Investment Grant of £1500 from Cheshire Peaks and Plains Housing Trust, a £400 Community Grant from Cheshire East Council and a further £250 donation from Macclesfield Castle Rotary Club.

The grants have funded the purchase of a number of used brass instruments for loan to new recruits and the purchase of other essential equipment such as music and music stands.

Regular turn out

So far, the weekly rehearsals at Ash Grove School are attracting a regular turnout of about a dozen learners but now, with the arrival of a few more instruments, the organisers are calling for more people from the local community to come and have a go, or a blow, as is the case!

This is all about trying something new, bringing the community together and having some funSue Bowen

Something new

Sue Bowen, budding tenor horn player and one of the founders told 4BR: "We started at the end of last year and some of us can now play six notes, although they are not always the right ones!

She added: "This is all about trying something new, bringing the community together and having some fun. We’ve already got a lively mix of ages and playing abilities in the band and thanks to these grants we can now provide more instruments, free of charge, to new members who show that they are willing to get involved on a regular basis."

Great idea

Tim Pinder, Chief Executive of Macclesfield based Cheshire Peaks and Plains Housing Trust commented to 4BR: "“Our Community Grant scheme supports projects that are based in their local community and we feel that the band is a great idea."

He added: "Playing music brings so many social benefits to people and there are very few opportunities such as this where adults can learn an instrument from scratch for free. We wish it every success."