December 2024 saw us try something new as a band… The live performance of the soundtrack to Raymond Briggs’ ‘The Snowman’, complete with film screening!

This was an event that had been in the planning for well over a year, from the inspiration at a Brass Bands England conference, through to the opening bars, and pulling it off was a huge team effort.

Our first step was reaching out to Lewes Film Club, to see if we could collaborate. We knew they had the skills to create the right atmosphere, and make sure our snowy friend appeared on screen at the right moment. Thankfully they were happy to be involved, and we met the marvellous Frank for the first time. Frank became a fixture at our rehearsals throughout much of November and December, so much so that he’s probably wondering what to do with his Thursday evenings now…

Quickly we realised we would also need some vocalists who could hit the high notes to Walking In The Air – and we were lucky enough to know that the choir at Iford and Kingston Primary, under the leadership of Ruth, could deliver. Despite Ruth having retired, and many of the choir moved on to different secondary schools by performance day – the spine tingling moments where the band accompanied the choir as the Snowman soared over Brighton Pier on screen will stick with many of us for a long time.

But it didn’t end there! On the day we were assisted by an army of volunteers, mainly friends and family of the band. These wonderful people scanned tickets and sold drinks like their lives depended on it and really helped the day go more smoothly than we could possibly have imagined.

And finally – our audience. When we first decided to go ahead, we never dreamed that we would have sold out of tickets by November. Thank you for your support, your warmth, and your appreciation. Your reaction made all the hard work worthwhile.

So a heartfelt thank you, on behalf of the whole band, to everyone who played a part in this event.

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