Connecting during the Corona crisis – Forfar Instrumental Band

Next up in our series on how Scottish bands are staying connected during the Coronavirus pandemic is Forfar Instrumental Band:

Originally formed in 1896, Forfar Instrumental Band is a 4th section brass band which is preparing for a big 125th birthday next year. Over the years, there have been highs – like performing at the National Championships – and lows. Sadly, like all other bands, Coronavirus has stopped all play – the only other time this happened for Forfar was during the War.

Our main aim is to make brass band music available to everyone in the community, whether to come along and hear us play, or by providing tuition to anyone who wishes to learn. We can also provide a learner instrument to ensure the cost of playing is not prohibitive.

Our band is made up of players of all abilities and ages – our youngest instrumentalist is 10 and our oldest member is 79! Tuesday evenings are our night to play together, encourage each other and spend time with our brass banding family under the watchful eye of our musical director Donald Innes. He has only recently taken up the post, but his enthusiasm and guidance is getting great results, even if some of his jokes are questionable!

As a band we fully support our younger players and annually fundraise to subsidise their place at the NYBBS summer camp each year. This proves to be the highlight of their year as they make new friends, play new music and learn from respected musicians from the brass world. This benefits them individually and is hugely beneficial for the band.

We have all been keeping in touch regularly on Facebook and Messenger but it isn't the same as playing together. Like everyone else, we are all very much looking forward to when current restrictions are relaxed.

You can find out more about Forfar Instrumental Band from our Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/forfarinstrumentalband

• Let us know about your band. Tell us about some of your successes, when you were founded, where and when you rehearse (when things are back to normal), and how your members are coping during the Coronavirus emergency situation.

Just send a couple of photos and a short write-up to Nigel Martin at sbbapr@gmail.com