BRASS 2000 was a project run by Royal Spa Brass to train 100 new musicians for the Millennium Concert at Symphony Hall, Birmingham
BRASS 2000 and Royal Spa Brass
(BRASS 2000 is a registered trademark)
On Sunday February 26th 1996 plans for an anbitious musical project were unveiled to an audience of local dignitaries, representatives from the media,and other community and music organisations. The BRASS 2000 project was formally launched by Royal Spa Brass and the vision revealed that drove the activities of the band for the next four years:
'On Sunday February 27th 2000, a special event will take place. At the magnificent Symohony Hall, Birmingham, the media will provide coverage of BRASS 2000 a major Millennium Concert. The highlight of ths concert will be the performance by 100 young musicians, able bodied and disabled, of the Premiere of a new arrangement especially commissioned for the occasion. The concert will celebrate the climax of the BRASS 2000 project and the opening of a new centre that will provide the facilities for youngsters of all backgrounds and abilities to share in the joy of making music and sustain the work of the project into the New Millennium.'
So the gauntlet had been thrown down. Symphony Hall was booked, the clock was ticking and the challenge was on to recruit 100 new brass and percussion players, equip them with instruments, and train them from scratch to a level of musical achievement that would allow them to sit alongside Black Dyke Band, the world's best, at one of the finest Concert Halls in the country! On top of that the plan was to find, acquire, and set up new premises that would provide the best facilities ever enjoyed by the Town Band. All this with a time limit of exactly four years. Challenge Anneka had nothing on this!
We're proud to say that we achieved every one of our objectives and the momentous experience will live long in the memories of all involved.
Musicians from The Drake Project join Brass 2000 on stage at Symphony Hall