A series of live outdoor concerts by Soundhouse Brass, Plymouth’s award-winning brass band, will once again entertain visitors to Sutton Harbour this summer.
Following a number of popular outdoor concerts staged alongside the harbour in 2019, and carol concerts held in December 2020, Soundhouse Brass is planning to return to the city’s historic waterfront quarter this year to perform on Thursday evenings and a Sunday afternoon during July and August.
Visitors and locals will be able to enjoy a lively programme of music including marches and popular musical arrangements performed by the community brass band from their position in Quay Square overlooking Sutton Harbour Marina.
Subject to Government regulations allowing events on the dates in question, and dependent on weather conditions, concerts will take places on:
- Thursdays on July 22nd & 29th, August 5th, 12th and 19th, 7.30pm – 9pm
- Sunday, August 15th, 2pm-4pm
A Committee spokesperson for Soundhouse Brass said: “The band is keen to get back to playing after the last year and the enforced break due to the pandemic, and we very much hope that the Government’s road map out of lockdown will enable restrictions to ease sufficiently so that we can once again perform outdoor concerts on Quay Square in Sutton Harbour this summer. We will be following our own risk assessment and will perform in accordance with Covid-19 guidance issued by the DCMS, so people can hear and enjoy the music safely.
“The concerts in 2019 were really well received, as were our carol playing outings just before last Christmas, and provided a fantastic opportunity for the band to showcase the talent of our musicians, as well as to entertain visitors enjoying a stroll around Plymouth’s waterfront or stopping for a meal or a drink on the harbourside, and we hope to offer people more of the same in summer 2021.”
Soundhouse Brass has been performing for more than 90 years, and was originally known as the Plymouth City Mission Band. The group became known as Soundhouse Brass in 2002, and is now of First Section National Standard, with more than 70 members of all ages.
The band is a registered charity and comprises a Training Band and Academy Band as well as the Senior Band aimed at encouraging the next generation of brass players. During the Sutton Harbour concerts, a collection will be taken for donations to band development funds.
The band was extremely pleased to have recently been awarded funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery. The band’s Committee spokesperson added: “Our successful bid will allow us to add more instruments and music to our portfolio, opening up more opportunities for new members to join and for the band to continue with activities within the city and beyond. The band has not been able to meet properly for over a year and this funding will be a huge help in rebuilding the three groups and allow us to continue to offer free tuition, instrument rental and a safe and happy environment for people to get together and make music.”
Philip Beinhaker, Executive Chairman of Sutton Harbour Group, said: “The concerts by Soundhouse Brass two years ago and again last December were greatly enjoyed by visitors to Sutton Harbour, and the backdrop of the harbour made for a tremendous atmosphere, with people taking a harbourside walk, drink or evening meal whilst enjoying the music.
“We are very pleased to welcome Soundhouse Brass back to Plymouth’s harbour this summer, should regulations permit, and with full safety measures in place, and hope the planned concerts will add more interest for visitors to Sutton Harbour as Plymouth continues to prove a popular UK destination with much to offer.”
To find out more about Soundhouse Brass, visit www.soundhousebrass.co.uk/ or follow the band on Facebook at @PlymouthSoundhouseBrass and on Twitter @PlymouthSHBrass
Visit www.suttonharbourgroup.com or follow Sutton Harbour on Facebook at www.facebook.com/suttonharbour on Instagram at www.instagram.com/suttonharbour and on Twitter @Sutton_Harbour to stay up to date on events.
