THERE’S no medal for marching at this summer’s Olympics, but brass bands are still going the distance in a special relay race.
Scissett Youth Band is one of dozens to be taking part in Brass The Baton – the only London 2012 Cultural Olympiad project designed specifically for brass bands.
The event will see brass band musicians and conductors of all ages and abilities, link up and participate in a huge relay race.
To take part each band must perform one of the five versions of the new music commission ‘Going The Distance’ by Paul Lovatt-Cooper and arrange for their conductor’s baton to be passed on to the next band in the relay.
Scissett Youth Band will be passing the baton on to Lincolnshire’s Silver Sounds band.
It will be transported by secretary Mel Armstrong’s husband, who will cycle the 72 miles to Dunston following their concert on Saturday.
His sponsored two-wheel journey is set to raise cash for the band and deliver the baton in time for Silver Sounds’ concert on May 19.
Brass the Baton project director, Terry Luddington, said: “We are really pleased with the response so far and in particular the variety of organisations that are getting involved.
“We have brass bands and ensembles of all sizes and abilities signed up, including school bands, Salvation Army bands, national champions, local authority music services, brass festivals, community bands, university bands, youth bands, massed bands and even a whole county is planning to take part.
“We now have participants from most of the UK with our conductor’s batons set to relay from the Moray Firth in the north, to Redruth in the south and from Cromer in the east to Port Erin, Isle of Man in the west.
Seb Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “Brass The Baton is encouraging all brass bands to fulfil their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as the British Federation of Brass Bands we are delivering our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in Brass Band music making throughout the country.”
Scissett Youth Band will perform its Summer Concert on Saturday at 7.30pm at Shelley Emmanuel Church, Huddersfield
Road, Shelley.
