*
banner

Dusty donations required!

If you have an old instrument gathering dust on a shelf somewhere then there are youngsters at Midsomer Norton & Radstock desperate to get their hands on it.

Midsomer players
 

A heartfelt plea has gone out from the young players of Midsomer Norton & Radstock Silver Brass Academy for help in getting them more instruments to play on.

Recruitment campaign

A great recruitment campaign and a vibrant atmosphere of fun and learning has meant that the Academy is now bursting at the seams with youngsters all wanting to take up brass and percussion, so demand for instruments at the moment is far out stripping potential supply!

MD Jo Sykes told 4BR that although it’s disappointing not be able to give everyone an instrument to play on, it’s a wonderful headache to try and cure!

"It’s a great problem to try and sort out! The band organisation now consists of a Beginners, Training and Senior ensemble and we have been working hard raising funds to get new instruments as best we can.

However, the demand means that at the moment some of our enthusiastic Beginners have to go without, so our plea goes out to anyone with an old instrument lying about that they think deserves to be loved, cherished and played, please get in touch!"

Once hooked

Jo added: "We do have some funds to meet some costs of purchase, but most of all we just want to give youngsters the opportunity to play in a brass band. Once they are hooked they never give up!"

most of all we just want to give youngsters the opportunity to play in a brass band. Once they are hooked they never give up!Jo Sykes

Contact

If there is anyone who can help, please contact Carole Stone on 07986 499028 or Jo Sykes on 07800 767712.

Also if you are interested in joining the Academy we meet in Radstock Methodist Church on a Tuesday and Friday evening at 6:15pm.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Herbert

Brass bands on the Telegraph lines

August 31 • The Daily Telegraph's review of Prof Trevor Herbert's new book on brass bands draws a positive future outlook from critic Ivan Hewett.


Insurance

T&R Direct Insurance Services: A guide to brass band insurance

August 31 • Loads of things all bands and players need to know about protecting instruments


Wobplay

Banding classics added to Wobplay

August 31 • A great trio of classic banding releases, a new podcast episode and the chance to look back at this year's Elgar International Festival.


Camborne

Camborne Brass look to raise funds after break-in vandalism

August 31 • A Crowdfunding page has been launched to help Camborne Brass after vandals broke into their bandhall and caused extensive damage.


The Hepworth Band - Public Rehearsal ahead of the 2026 British Open

Tuesday 8 September • Ossett Town Hall, Market Place, Ossett WF5 8BE


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Crewe Brass

September 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for a FRONT ROW CORNET to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

September 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

September 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION PLAYERS (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Prof. Christopher Houlding

MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd