ONE of the country’s top brass bands will travel from their base in Leicestershire to Skipton to perform at the Town Hall on Saturday, July 9 at 7pm.

Oddfellows Brass started life as a youth collective under the name ‘Unity Brass’ in 1981. It was founded by Rob Boulter, who continues to play in the band today. A steady evolutionary process has, over the years, enabled the band to maintain its reputation as a friendly and informal organisation which achieves excellent musical progress.

The band has made a steady progression in the National Brass Band rankings, achieving qualification for the National Brass Band Finals on six occasions, including a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The band was runner-up in the Second Section Finals in 1995, and reached the First Section Finals in September 1998. In 1999, the band was promoted once again, this time to the elite Championship Section. Its talented musicians share a love of brass and perform a wide range of music, from traditional tunes and modern works (of which some are arranged and composed by their players), to movie scores and popular songs. The Band has undertaken several European and international tours, including four visits to the Caribbean island of Barbados, and has continued to grow to enjoy its status as a well supported, happy and successful brass band. They undertake a varied range of concerts throughout the year.

The band is sponsored by The Oddfellows and when asked why a spokesman replied: “It’s quite simple. We love their passion for what they do. It’s infectious. But above all, we celebrate the band’s ability to help people enjoy the brighter side of life. This not only stands for the people who have the toe-tapping pleasure of enjoying a performance, but for the musicians themselves, too. Their music is accessible to all, and they are a band with a sound as big as the friendships it forms along the way. And as a Society built on friendship, for us, that’s the key.”

Derek Stansfield, President of the Yorkshire Oddfellows Group Conference, says the event is open to all and we hope as many as possible will be able to come and enjoy the experience. The price of a ticket it £12.50 (Oddfellows members enjoy a £5 discount) and are available from Derek himself on 07450191561 or from Sarah Butcher at sarah.butcher@oddfellows.co.uk