Welcome!

We’re Ilkeston Brass, a community-oriented brass band in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

About

Ilkeston Brass is a local community band that play throughout Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. We were formed in the 1920s as Stanton Ironworks band, and we’ve not stopped playing since. Whilst the band’s evolved over time, we’ve never stopped making a positive difference through sharing our passion for music with the community.

Today, things are no different — the band continues to thrive with a diverse mix of players, young and old. We play at events in the community, and compete in various contests throughout the year.

We always welcome new players and offer a training band for keen beginners of all ages.

Stop Press! We're really pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Rhodes as our new MD. He brings considerable playing and conducting experience to the job, as well as a great balance between the fun of playing and the hard work required to improve. Exciting times!

Our next gig is From Stage to Screen, a joint concert with SingWestHallam - performing a range of exciting music from film and musical.

This is on Saturday March 29th at 7.30 p.m. Venue - Kirk Hallam Community Academy, Godfrey Drive, Ilkeston.

More information and link to tickets on our Facebook page!

 

Meet the band

Richard

Trombone player

Richard wonders whether banding was his mid-life crisis! He bought a beaten-up euphonium on a whim, but ended up on trombone. He's always loved music, and thoroughly enjoys playing it with the band!

John

Baritone player

John's one of our most experienced players - he enjoyed playing during his early teens and decided to take it up again later in life! He vividly remembers being inspired by a band up in Carlisle, promptly started coming to Ilkeston rehearsals, and the rest is history! Banding is a big part of his life now and he's an integral part of the band.

Chris

Principle trombone

Chris started playing the baritone when he was eight. Having realised the error, he moved onto trombone a year later and hasn’t looked back, having joined a wind band then an orchestra before taking a twenty year break at uni. He’s thoroughly enjoying brass banding, and when not playing he enjoys spending time with Team Euphonium and our former Principal Cornet, or on any kind of boat.

Ayane

Horn player

Ayane plays the tenor horn, and is relatively new to banding - she played at Daventry Brass for a few years before joining Ilkeston Brass in spring 2022. Ayane is originally a pianist who used to teach the piano with the Derbyshire Music Hub. Ayane is from Japan and loves cooking (and eating) Japanese food!

Aidan

Flugelhorn

Until recently our principal euphonium player, Aidan moved to cornet , intending to take a back seat during his A levels. However the need for a flugelhorn player gave Aidan more work, including solos at recent gigs!

Upcoming gigs

Vacancies

Players

Ilkeston Brass are looking for front and back row cornet players, positions negotiable! We also require a principal cornet player to lead the band as we move forward under our new MD.

Are you looking for a friendly local band with a reasonable but varied concert programme? If so, we would love to hear from you! Drop us an email at enquiries@ilkestonbrass.org.uk, or find alternative ways to get in touch below.

If you'd like to come along to a rehearsal, it would be great if you could drop us an email below to let us know you're coming! We rehearse every Sunday (18:15 — 20:30). Also on Sunday, the training band meets from 17.00 - 18.00.

You can find us here:

Ilkeston Brass

Pavilion - Former Pewit Golf Course

West End Drive

Ilkeston

United Kingdom

DE7 5GH

Contact

Let’s get chatting! Whether you’d like to book us for a gig, or you’d like to join us for a rehearsal, or you’re just curious — we’d love to hear from you.

Drop us an email, or use our contact form!

You can drop us an email at:

enquiries@ilkestonbrass.org.uk