Horsham among the groups banding together online

Mid Sussex Brass Band has enjoyed a remarkable reaction to its efforts to reach out across the borders during lockdown. They have been keeping in touch with members during the lockdown when rehearsals haven’t been possible – and have ended up creating a virtual band community, as spokeswoman Isobel Mcfarlane explains. “Musical director Steve Winter offered to host a quiz over Zoom for band members and as news spread over social media of how much fun members were having, requests to join started pouring in from members of other brass bands. “Initially brass bands from Sussex and Surrey, such as Patcham Silver Band and Godalming Band, began to join. However as the weeks of lockdown progressed the number of people taking part has grown to nearly 100 with 14 different brass bands represented, including bands from Oxfordshire, Scotland and even Germany and The Netherlands. “Ably assisted by Jo Dixon, who has taken on the arduous role of marking answers and keeping score, Steve produces a new quiz each week with rounds on different topics. Unsurprisingly there is a music round every week which has featured more brass band music than the average pub quiz. “The response from participants has been overwhelmingly positive as the growth in numbers and the words of thanks demonstrate. Quizzers have thanked Steve and Jo for bringing people together, building a sense of community and giving people something to look forward to in these difficult times.” Jonnie Ireland, from Brighton and Hove City Brass, said: “It was fabulous once again, Steve. It’s a great thing you’re doing. Looking forward to next week but can we win again please?” Steve said: “Initially the quiz was just something to get a few people together from our band for a bit of a laugh and some social contact while we can’t rehearse. With so many people taking part now I can’t quite believe it. I’m so happy to see them all talking, laughing and occasionally sulking when they get the answer wrong. It shows just how important our extended band families really are.” Participating bands so far are Mid Sussex Brass Band; Cranbrook Town Band; Godalming Band; Uckfield Concert Brass; LGB Brass; Patcham Silver Band; Patcham Youth Band; Brighton and Hove City Brass; Lancing RBL Band; Cholsey Brass Band; Callander Brass; (Scotland); Cologne Concert Brass; Brassband Rijnmond (The Netherlands); Horsham Borough Band; and Friary Brass Band. In addition to the quiz, Mid Sussex Brass Band members have still met regularly via Zoom on a Thursday evening at their usual rehearsal time, to keep in touch. Meetings have included guest appearances and question and answer sessions from renowned musicians such as Richard Marshall, principal cornet of the Black Dyke Band, and David Thornton, euphonium player and current musical director of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Occasionally band members play through a piece together – on mute because of the delay on sound – and produced a virtual recording of We’ll Meet Again. Isobel added: “The band are now working on a regular programme of virtual recordings to keep in practice and are looking forward to being able to play together in the future and resume their busy schedule of concerts and appearances. Mid Sussex Brass Band performs a range of music to suit all tastes across Sussex and further afield at concerts, community events and private functions. The band welcomes new players to join rehearsals which, outside of lockdown, take place each Thursday at Manor Field Primary School in Burgess Hill.” To join, go to www.msbb. net or email secretary.msbb@ gmail.com.