Children and parents alike had a wonderful day at Lofthouse 2000 Band's recent 'Learn to Play' Day.

Devised by the band and supported by the Ann Maguire Arts Education Fund, it was aimed at offering new as well as returning players the opportunity to play brass music.

Great success

Not surprisingly it was a great (and loud) success — with eager youngsters lining up to try the instrument of their choice and giving it plenty of enthusiastic blowing under the expert eye of MD Andrew Whitaker and the band.

He told 4BR:"We had a good take up of new recruits as well as a number of lapsed players that are looking to take music back up as a hobby. It really shows that these initiatives work and work well. It was great fun."

It really shows that these initiatives work and work well. It was great funMD, Andrew Whitaker

Outreach work

It was the third time Lofthouse has hosted such an event, which also formed the finale of a week of outreach work in local schools by the multi-talented brass teacher, James Stretton, who ensured the youngsters knew all about the exciting possibilities of playing a brass instrument.