Briarfield Brass has announced it will take part in the famous Whit Friday Brass Band Marches this month, supported by funding from the Isle of Man Arts Council.
The Manx ensemble will perform in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, under the banner ‘Briarfield Brass and Friends’, bringing together musicians from the island, the UK and Europe.
While the group has collaborated widely before, this will be the first Whit Friday experience for many of those taking part.
Whit Friday is regarded as one of the brass band world’s most iconic traditions, drawing bands and spectators from across the UK for an evening of marching and contest performances in the Saddleworth villages.
Trip coordinator Mark Halliday said the Arts Council’s backing had helped make the project accessible for Manx players. He described Whit Friday as a “bucket list” event with an atmosphere unlike anything else in the brass band calendar.
The group also thanked Bushy’s, which is supporting the project as uniform sponsor.
Preparations are now in their final stages ahead of this month’s event.
