The Fairlop Brass Band has branched out with an innovative approach to new music – or old as the case may be, with the setting up of their Fairlop Brass Academy.

Chamber music

The new ensemble of around a dozen players will concentrate on chamber music from the renaissance period to the present day, with the aim of attracting new players and audiences to both perform and enjoy a new strand of high quality brass music.

Opportunity

A spokesperson told 4BR: "Due to the increasing popularity of large ensemble brass music made famous by the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble and latterly London Brass, it was an opportunity to give another range of musical experience to existing band members plus bring new younger members into the band."

The director of the new ensemble is John Sibley who has had a long association for with the band. John has spent most of his career as a professional trombonist playing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for over 20 years as well as teaching locally for the past decade or more.

Fairlop can add a range of new opportunities to play in different styles, which will only enhance the band’s reputation and performance flexibilityMD, Kevin Jordan

Flexible

Musical Director Kevin Jordan, told 4BR: "The repertoire of exciting brass music and arrangements available today means that Fairlop can add a range of new opportunities to play in different styles, which will only enhance the band’s reputation and performance flexibility."