The Downton Band is to start investing in their future player prosperity with the launch of a new group on September 12th, which will be open to anyone who wishes to learn a brass instrument.

Future playing talent

The 140 year old band from near Salisbury launched a highly successful 30-strong training band last year and now hopes that this Beginners Brass group, which will meet on Monday evenings will provide them with a further seam of future playing talent.

Expert tuition

Downton MD Paul Williams told 4BR: "Our Beginners Brass is open to anyone. For just £1 a week they will get expert tuition, a weekly rehearsal, plenty of performance opportunities and the loan of an instrument to take home to practice.

We want to make access to music making open to everyone so there will also be a bursary available for those who cannot afford the subscriptions."

This will be the fourth band run by the Downton organisation, which already operates a Senior Band, a smaller ensemble called Jubilee Brass and training band.

This will be the fourth band run by the Downton organisation, which already operates a Senior Band, a smaller ensemble called Jubilee Brass and training band4BR

Clear progression

Paul added: "There is a clear progression route for players at Downton, so hopefully those starting in our Beginners Brass group will quickly gain enough skills to join our training band — and then onto Jubilee Brass and the Senior Band."