Ten successful years of Chester Brass, the training ensemble of the City of Chester Band (The Blue Coats) was celebrated in a concert held in All Saints’ Church, Hoole at the beginning of the month.

Bands featured

The concert featured both bands as well as solos by former and current members of Chester Brass.

Soloists

Kirsty Blain (Eb Horn), a founder member, and currently studying at Aberystwyth University, played Albinoni’s 'Adagio', accompanied by Dennis Jones, organist at All Saints, as well as ‘If’, this time accompanied by the City of Chester Band.

Jessica Blain (Bb Cornet) was accompanied by Chester Brass in ‘Circle of Life’. Chester Brass also accompanied percussionist Jacob Bentley in ‘Pots and Pans’ from ‘The Saddleworth Suite’.

Matthew McCleary played Drigo’s ‘Serenade’ and Áine Jackson, a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, performed ‘Carnival of Venice’.

Training aim

The aim of establishing the training band (open to young people aged from 7 to 70) was to ensure there would be players coming forward to secure the future for the City of Chester Band.

To date 16 players have ‘graduated’ into the City of Chester Band.