Quite possibly the only place to hear a brass band play in public in the entirety of the British Isles, at the moment, is the Isle of Man.

And to celebrate, many of the island’s brass bands are to hold a mass performance at the Villa Marina this weekend.

The Massed Band concert takes place this Sunday, August 16, from 7.30pm.

Among the bands taking place are the Castletown Metropolitan Band, the Douglas Town band, Manx Concert Brass and Youth band, the Onchan Silver Band, the Ramsey Town Band and the Rushen Silver Band, with potentially hundreds of musicians joining in throughout the evening.

Chris Weldon, the musical director with the Rushen Silver Band, said that the concert is being held as the bands’ way of raising money for the Friends of Noble’s Hospital and saying thank you to the health professionals who have played a huge role in the island’s ability to emerge from the lockdown.

’Firstly, we want to celebrate coming out of the lockdown,’ said Chris.

’Obviously the people couldn’t get out of their homes and get together and the bands stopped playing.

’So we want to celebrate and say thank you to everyone who has helped to make that happen and we will be raising money for the Friends of Noble’s Hospital which is the island’s health service charity.

’We all use Noble’s Hospital from time to time and we think it’s no bad thing to support a charity such as them.’

The organisers of the concert say there will be more than 100 musicians on stage during the evening, led by conductors, including Ian Clague, who conducts for the Manx Concert Brass and Manx Youth band, Ian Astill, from the Castletown Metropolitan Band and Robert Quine, from the Ramsey Town band as well as Chris himself.

’This is one of those things that sounds like a great idea at the time, but then someone has to organise it!’ Said Chris.

’The last time a lot of the island’s brass bands got together for a set-piece concert was during the millennium, which also took place at the Villa. It worked well and was great fun to do.

’We also get together for the Prash Laxaa, which has taken place in Laxey over the past couple of years , but that is a bit different from holding a concert like this.

’Every so often members of each band will meet up an, invariably, someone will always say "That was great fun. We should do it again." This seemed like the best time to do it.

’I think, on the night there will be around 120 players.

’Each band and conductor have suggested their own choice of music to perform, and we will play traditional and familiar brass band pieces to popular film scores, such as jazz, modern tunes and more.’

Being able to hold the concert has made Chris feel very lucky, especially after talking with friends and fellow musicians in the UK.

’Obviously, there was a point in the year where we didn’t think we would have many opportunities to perform in public this year, so to be able to put six on is incredible,’ he said.

’We all know how lucky we are. I have been in touch with friends and colleagues across and everyone is very jealous about how we are able to carry on as normal.

’For both musicians, music-lovers and for people in general, you can see the value of music to those who have been stuck inside for a while.

’Listening to music, especially live, gives an enormous boost to people’s well-being.

’It is incredible to think that this concert will be the only brass band concert anywhere in the UK, and will be for sometime to come.

’I think that a music concert is a great way of helping people to move on from the idea of the lockdown.’

Tickets for the Massed Band show are £10, with under 16s £1, available from the Welcome Centre and Villa Gaiety box office, on 600555, and online from villagaiety.com

by Mike Wade

mike.wade@;iomtoday.co.im

Twitter:@iomnewspapers