Musicians banding together

DOBCROSS bound . . .Wellington Brass Band

THE magnetic sound of music has brought an award-winning brass band more than 11,000 miles to play in a country village.

Wellington Brass band are flying from New Zealand's capital city to make a special personal appearance in Dobross and hope to reenact the glories of the traditional Whit Friday festival.

Traditional
The band is taking part in the 164th British Open Brass Band Championships in Birmingham on Saturday, September 10, which is open to British and Commonwealth bands.

But as part of their trip to the UK they contacted Dobcross Silver Band to arrange a visit to the village's historic band club to make up for missing this year's Whit Friday spectacle in May.

Phil Cumberworth, from Dobcross Silver Band and Brass Monkeys, explained: "It just shows how famous Dobcross is around the world!"

Next Wednesday, Wellington Brass will rehearse in the world-famous band club, which is more than 100 years old, before assembling in the car park at 6pm for their mini-march, weather permitting, to the village green at Churchfields.

The band's musical director is David Bremner, a world-class trombone player, who has been principal trombone player for the New Zealand National Band and principal trombonist for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Mr Bremner first met players from Dobcross on a visit in 2003.

The tour has been organised by New Zealand-based tour operator Simon Hocking, whose company have specialised in brass band travel for more than 20 years.

He said: "Sixteen years ago, I travelled over with the Woolston Brass band for the British Open and we had a very good concert with Dobcross. This followed with another tour in 2003 with the New Zealand Youth Brass Band.

"David was guest artist on that tour and he's looking forward to re-visiting after such a memorable time in 2003.

"The band are the New Zealand Champion Band, a title they defended successfully for the forth consecutive year this July."

The 30-strong band has two females players, plus 25 supporters, and many family and friends will be travelling to cheer them on.

The band are based in Birmingham from Saturday, arriving after a 30-hour journey from Wellington via Singapore.

Eleven of the band will fly back to New Zealand and the rest will be taking opportunity to spend some time in the UK and Europe.

In Dobcross, they will process at 6.30pm to the village green for a short performance, which will be adjudicated by world famous whistler David Morris.

Wellington Brass will perform at the band club from 7pm-8.30pm, led by conductor David Bremner. It is a free event.