A unique musical partnership between the Northern Regional Brass Band Trust and the Beamish Museum has revealed its latest attraction for visitors to the world famous open-air heritage centre near the town of Stanley in County Durham.

Debuts

The Beamish Brass Ensemble is a small group that consists of Beamish members of staff who have learned to play following a 'have a go' initiative led by the Northern Regional Brass Band Trust committee of intrepid brass band experts.

Rehearsals were held at the museum's reconstructed 1920s Hetton Band Hall, which was opened in 2013.

The group have now been playing together for six months, and recently gave their debut performance during the interval at the recent Beamish March & Hymn Tune contest.

Workshop

The Trust further supported the ensemble at a recent weekend workshop at the museum where visitors were able to enjoy the band playing as well hear a wonderful talk that outlined its ambition to gain more recruits.

A Trust spokesperson spokesperson told 4BR: "We really want to thank the team at Beamish for their support of local bands, and say thank you to Rachel Veitch-Straw at Brass Bands England: It's been great to be able to discuss our ideas with her."

The group have now been playing together for six months, and recently gave their debut performance during the interval at the recent Beamish March & Hymn Tune contest4BR

Come & Play

In further brass-Beamish partnership, four members of local Lanchester Band will now be at the museum every fortnight for 'Come & Play' sessions where visitors can have a go at playing themselves — and have already gained three new learner members and an experienced returnee.