10:00am Tuesday 27th July 2010
MUSICIANS from Abingdon say their brass bands are under threat , with fewer young musicians joining.
Abbey Brass is struggling to recruit children to its training band, at the same time as more and more older members are leaving the main band.
Secretary Rob Tompkins said the number of people interested in joining had been dwindling.
He said: “Eight years ago, we had 12 children joining the training band every year, but now we get three or four.
“Many of our members are moving away from the area or finding there’s too much school work, while some of our older members are getting to an age where they no longer feel they want to do it.
“Now we have just two thirds of the seats filled in our main band.”
He said he was not sure why children were not interested. He said: “It’s either they just don’t know that the band exists, or perhaps most people aren’t interested in picking up a musical instrument.
“They’re at that age when they’re just starting to look at football clubs or Brownies. We’re also fighting against all the other organisations that want new members.”
Brenda Ross, 72, has been playing in the band for 10 years. Her husband Malcolm, their son and grandchildren have all played in the band. She said: “Children have an awful lot of things they can do these days, perhaps much more than they used to.
“It would be a great shame musically if brass bands were to disappear.”
Mr Tompkins said the band offers hire of an instrument and tuition to new members for just £1 a week.
For more information about the band, see abbeybrass.com, or email info@abbeybrass.com
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