Brass festival aims to inspire next generation

11 hours ago

Pamela BilalovaNorth East and Cumbria

Brazen Brass Band is performing at the festival for a second year

Supplied The nine female members of Brazen Brass Band smile as they sit in front of a purple banner reading Durham Brass Festival. One member of the band is lying on her side in front of the others, with her head resting on her left hand. — Brazen Brass Band is performing at the festival for a second year

Performers at a brass band festival which is celebrating its 20th year say they want to provide a platform for new artists and female musicians.

Durham Brass Festival is coming to a close later following a week of gigs across the county.

Grace Harman, from Brazen Brass Band, said the all-female group hoped their performances during the festival, especially in schools, would help inspire the next generation of female musicians.

Will Lenton, band leader of Mr Wilson's Second Liners, said the festival was continuing to give opportunities to new artists every year.

The event, run by Durham County Council, features performances in streets, parks, historic venues, care homes and schools.

It first took place in 2006, taking inspiration from "the tradition of brass bands at the Durham Miners' Gala", cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street Karen Allison said.

Mr Wilson's Second Liners first performed at the event in 2016

Durham County Council A saxophone player from Mr Wilson's Second Liners performs among the crowd at Durham Brass Festival in 2025. He is wearing a hat and colourful shirt. People sitting on benches behind him are smiling and clapping. — Mr Wilson's Second Liners first performed at the event in 2016

Lenton, whose Manchester-based band is taking part in the festival for the seventh time, said: "We've been lucky we've been able to come back a few times but every year you meet new new acts, new bands coming up.

"Whether they're from other parts of the world or whether they're young people coming up through the scene, that's really special."

The saxophone player said the festival was also providing an "important" platform for female musicians but added: "The gender balance is still skewed in brass music, I think."

Brazen Brass Band hope to be role models for female players

Supplied Brazen Brass Band perform in front of a park band stand at Durham Brass Festival. They all wear white trousers and red tops. — Brazen Brass Band hope to be role models for female players

Brazen Brass Band is one of three female acts at this year's festival.

Trumpeter Grace Harman said the main challenge for female brass musicians was lack of awareness.

"I think, especially perhaps growing up, maybe we haven't seen many female musicians as role models," she said.

"It's mainly been males, so that's obviously been a bit of a challenge."

The band, which was formed in response to the Misogyny in Music report, is performing for a second time at the festival and hopes to keep coming back, Harman said.

"It's been great fun and seeing female musicians, especially in the schools.

"It's really exciting and hopefully we're inspiring the next generation of them."

Emma Hermon, from Durham County Council, said the event was expected to attract more than 30,000 visitors over the week.

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