The Shepway Brass Academy recently got off to a flying start with their first public performance in Folkestone.

40 youngsters

The children’s brass band, which includes over 40 youngsters from around the Shepway area, performed a variety of classical and fun pieces at their Showcase Concert, with guests Snowdown Colliery Band.

The Academy has been running for just a few months, with the newest recruit’s only learning for a matter of weeks.

Support

Founded and run by Christer Aberg, an experienced brass teacher with assistance from a number of volunteer musicians, funding comes from a range of local and national sources including Folkestone Town Council, Soundhub, the Pack Foundation, Ernest Cook Trust, Brass Band England and Ronald Cruickshanks.

The concert was a huge success and the children rose to the challenge of performing in public — especially the total beginnersFounder, Christer Aberg

Huge success

Christer Aberg told 4BR: "The concert was a huge success and the children rose to the challenge of performing in public — especially the total beginners.

Playing alongside the Snowdown Colliery Band has given them a standard to aspire to, and really boosted their confidence."