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Ilkeston Brass Band beats folding crisis with new energy
8 Jun
Summary
- The band narrowly avoided folding after more than 100 years.
- A new musical director has revitalized the band with diverse music.
- Audience members tried instruments to encourage new player recruitment.
Ilkeston Brass Band has marked its survival after a near closure last year with a jubilant free performance in a local park. The ensemble, which faced a crisis point and made a desperate call for players and a musical director in August 2025, has since welcomed new members.
Now in its 2026 season, the band opened Erewash Borough Council's Bold as Brass concert series in Ilkeston's Victoria Park. The event also served as a recruitment drive, offering audience members a chance to try various instruments during the interval.
A new musical director has been credited with revitalizing the band, fostering a friendly atmosphere and broadening the songbook to include modern hits. This positive change has helped the band gel and thrive.
Discussions around the scarcity of brass instrument tuition in schools continue, with funding for Music Hubs across the country remaining a challenge. Despite this, efforts are being made to raise the profile of brass music locally.
