Couch to Concert (January 2026)

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Many thanks to Downshire Brass and their conductor Professor Michael Alcorn for use of promotional materials.

New Year New You!

Valley Brass is delighted to announce an exciting New Years initiative for adult
beginner brass players launching in January 2026.

This 10-week programme is designed to introduce participants to the joy of
making music together in a brass band setting. Participants must be over 21, but
prior musical experience is not required.

Maybe you were never given the chance to learn or perhaps you played music at
school, in a band, or in a choir—and for one reason or another, life got in the way.
Maybe you’ve always regretted giving it up. So, now’s your chance to learn or to
rediscover your love of music!

This programme is designed to get you started (or restarted) on your musical
journey. Over 10 weeks, you’ll progress from the first steps of playing in a brass
group to performing in your first concert.

Classes begin in January and will run on Wednesday evenings from 7:30pm to
8:30pm for 10 weeks. The rehearsals will take place at Valley Brass Centre in
Haydock St.Helens WA110SS.

Sign-up Below for more information about the programme. We will get back in
touch with everyone before January 10th with an update on next steps.

Couch to Concert FAQs

1. How will participants be selected?
   We will be limiting the number of places to 10 in this first iteration of ‘Couch to Concert’. Places will be allocated on first-come-first-served basis.
2. Those with more advanced musical experience can be ear-marked for more advanced ensembles.
3. Will I have to buy a musical instrument?
   The band will provide instruments to all participants for the duration of the course.
4. I would like to buy my own instrument or I already have an instrument
   That’s fine, as long as it’s one of the standard brass band instruments you can source your own instrument
5. Is there a fee for participation in the course?
   ’Couch to Concert’ costs £50 in total – that’s £5 per week! The fee will be payable before the participants start the course.
6.  Will I need to attend every week?
   A key feature of the programme is the weekly, in-person sessions where you will get to play with other musicians and gain first-hand, core musical skills. So the short answer is ‘yes’, though you should be able to catch up if you are absent for any reason.
7. Can I attend online?
   The programme is designed for in-person delivery.
8. Will I need to practice or do other work during the week?
   You will make most progress in music through daily practice. This helps build technical and musical skills which will enable you to improve your playing.
9. What will I have achieved after 10 weeks?
   You will have developed some basic musical skills on a brass band instrument, gained experience of ensemble playing, learnt some basic music theory, and participated in a short concert!
10. What comes after the 10 week Programme?
    The hope is to create a follow-on programme to allow the participants to develop their skills further, and ultimately, to take part in regular banding activities with Valley Brass Training Band or Valley Brass Band.