Big Band charity concert

If you love the sound of brass then make a note in your diary for Saturday, April 20 for ‘Just Brass’, a 30piece band who will be performing at the Forum Mare Nostrum in Alfaz del Pi.

The band was formed in 2003 and made up of residents and regular visitors mainly from the UK and Ireland but also recently attracted a number of players from Norway too. They rehearse every Wednesday in San Miguel and all play for love –in fact, they each pay a weekly subscription of €1! Their aim is to bring entertaining brass music to audiences young and old and some players hail from some of the top UK brass bands including Brighouse and Rastrick, Black Dyke and Fodens and Faireys.

Musical Director Brian Weber was awarded a place at the Royal Academy of Music in London aged 18 and at the end of his second year was chosen by Sir Yehudi Menuhin for a scholarship to study chamber music in Germany. He mastered the viola and began became a professor at the prestigious Cheltenham Ladies College, teaching violin and viola for over 20 years before moving to Spain. He has, over the years performed with many of the world’s leading conductors and soloists and in 2003 was invited to direct a concert with the Cartagena Chamber Orchestra.

After running costs, they donate money raised to charity, which last year amounted to over €3,500. Recently they performed a concert in aid of a young girl that needed spinal surgery, raising €330 and have attracted the interest of regional and national news agencies, taking part in news reports and television programs surrounding Brexit in recent months.

The event in Alfaz has been jointly sponsored by the Companians Social club and the venue and all proceeds from ticket sales will be split between the AECC - National Spanish Cancer charity and Cruz Roja - Spanish Red Cross Alfaz branch.

Doors open at 7pm and concert starts at 8pm with tickets, priced at only €5 available from the Forum reception or can be reserved by calling Barbara on 666 921 972.

Full bar and tapas will be available throughout the evening.