A MUSICIAN is hoping to inspire children to take up brass instruments by setting up a new band with a modern twist.

Keith Harrison wants to update the tradition of brass music in East Lancashire by getting youngsters excited about learning to play cornets, trumpets, trombones and euphoniums with his Piping Hot Brass Band.

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And it won’t be just the customary music the new group will be playing – with backing tracks of popular tunes used to grab the children’s interest.

Keith, who started playing the cornet at the age of eight, said: “We encourage new brass band learners, and understand that some children will already be playing an instrument.

“The club is somewhere to develop music skills together and the main directive of our music club is to make it inspirational, trendy and fun.

“The added bonus with our learning system is we produce our own music exercises and accompaniment tracks, to give the players the feel of playing with a real brass band at an early stage, it’s the same technology you hear every day with the pop charts and in film music.”

The sessions will take place at the Billington and Langho Community Centre, off Whalley Road, with a weekly subscription of £5.

The 40-minute classes take place on Saturdays, starting at 9.30am.

Adults are also encouraged to accompany their children and take part at no extra cost.

The group has an arrangement with Reidy’s Home of Music in Blackburn for an instrument hire and buy schemes.

Keith, who started his career playing the electronic organ in social clubs before progressing into the North Manchester nightclub scene as a pianist and vocalist and then as a DJ, said he hoped the group would help continue the region’s tradition of outstanding brass instrument playing.

He said: “Music is considered an important part of leisure time activity and our club is available to show the benefits of playing music consistently through children’s school days.

“Many schools offer music of different styles in the curriculum which is very welcome, but some areas have stronger brass band music policies inside and outside of school than others.

“If our up-to-date and unique training methods are enjoyed by the children within our own community, this should contribute to the continuation of a 170 year brass band tradition, in which case, the club will have been thoroughly worthwhile.”

For more information on how to join visit pipinghot.club or send an email to info@pipinghot.club.