SALE Brass Band recently took part in a new music workshop.

The project, organised by local composer Dave Collins, brought together a host of brass musicians, conductors, composers and sound engineer students from across the community for a day of music making and socialising.

The group, including players from Sale Brass and other local bands, were given the opportunity to try out new music, receive some top tips from professionals and make new friends.

The new pieces included Apocalyptic Sapphire, by James McFayden, I Know Why, from Les Baker and Pete Graham's A Gannachy Lullaby.

The band was put through its paces by award winning, Cardiff-born conductor Huw Thomas. Huw studied at the Birmingham conservatoire before going on to play co-principal trumpet with the Portuguese Ochestre do Norte before conducting some high profile bands, including the world famous Fairey Band.

Also in attendance, to support the band and play a self penned solo, was Besson artist James McLeod, principal euphonium from Leyland Band. James' accolades include winning the Linda Mowat prize for best brass soloist at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and reaching the final of the BBC Young Brass Soloist Competition.

Having James and Huw take part was an excellent opportunity for the local amateur musicians to get some tuition and tips from two people at the top of their game. Rob Greaves, a Sale Brass player and band secretary, said: "The day was hard work but really good fun and it definitely helped improve our playing."

The day culminated in a performance of six pieces of new music that was recorded by students from the University of Salford.

Sale's own musical director, Alan Seymour, said: "It was great for the band to get involved in a community project with high calibre musicians like James and Huw and we can't wait to feature this new music in our upcoming concerts."

As part of the 2016 Sale Festival, James will be Sale Brass' guest soloist at a concert to celebrate the Queen's 90th Birthday, on June 11 at The Waterside Arts Centre.

Tickets are available from the band or at: https://watersideartscentre.co.uk/whats-on/1826-a-celebration-of-her-majestys-90th-birthday-with-s/