The inaugural BrassFestUK event has been hailed as a great success after fine weather, a great deal of enthusiasm and the talents of over 130 brass bands across the country helped things along.

BrassFestUK set out to encourage as many bands as possible to perform to the public in local bandstands, parks, market squares or pub gardens, armed with the specially commissioned work, 'The Spirit of Brass' written by Gavin Somerset.

In the event, more than 3,000 performers played to an estimated audience in excess of 10,000 people over the three days.

Played their part

Pennine Music and the world's number 1 ranked band, Cory, played their part in producing and performing the work, with Pennine Music enabling everyone to enjoy it by offering it for sale at only £7 for a download and £10 +P&P for a printed copy.

Organiser Rob Tompkins visited Cory and their Cory Academy in Brecon on the BrassFest weekend, with the concert featuring a joint performance of 'The Spirit of Brass'.

Some of the children in the Cory Academy can't have been more than 7 years old, and to see their faces when they were joined by the finest band in the world was greatOrganiser Rob Tompkins

Huge pleasure

Rob told 4BR: "Hearing both bands perform Gavin's piece was wonderful. Some of the children in the Cory Academy can't have been more than 7 years old, and to see their faces when they were joined by the finest band in the world was great.

The smiles on faces and the sound of both bands playing was a huge pleasure for everyone involved."

Rob added: "The weekend has been a great success with so much positive feedback. I'm now looking to encourage more bands for BrassFestUK 2018 — perhaps across the banding world, led by Pennine Music, Gavin and Cory."