Lofthouse 2000 Brass Band is celebrating after securing a grant of more than £4,000 thanks to the Coalfields Regeneration Trust Community Grants programme.

The grant will be used to purchase IT equipment and a range of beginner instruments, while also assisting members of the band and community to develop new skills in recording techniques and helping to fund a week long introduction to music in local schools.

All the difference

Musical Director, Andrew Whitaker told 4BR: "This grant will make all the difference. Younger members who are eager to learn can use the new instruments rather than instruments that should have been retired, whilst older members can also build on their skills by learning recording techniques on professional quality equipment.

There is also the opportunity to continue our work in local schools, introducing brass music to the next generation."

We hope that we can become even stronger and more competitive thanks to this investment and also hope to increase the size of the organisation as a resultMD, Andrew Whitaker

Become stronger

He added: "We have always had to make do with second hand instruments — ones past their best, so to have been awarded the grant is a huge achievement and relief for us.

We hope that we can become even stronger and more competitive thanks to this investment and also hope to increase the size of the organisation as a result."