Rushen Silver Band is extremely pleased to be taking part in Brass The Baton, the only London 2012 Cultural Olympiad project designed specifically for Brass Bands. The Band will be “Going The Distance” for the Red Baton Relay when they play at St Catherine’s Church, Port Erin, as part of Port Erin Commissioners Summer Season of Concerts, on Wednesday 20 June 2012, the concert commencing at 8pm. The concert will also include other musical items with a reference to the Olympics in general.
With over 150 brass bands / ensembles and over 7,000 brass band musicians set to take part, the Brass The Baton project provides a unique opportunity for brass band musicians, and conductors, of all ages and abilities, to link up and participate in a huge relay race involving 5 conductor’s batons and a unique new music commission from Paul Lovatt-Cooper entitled “Going The Distance”.
The Band are very grateful for the co-operation of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company who have been very helpful in arranging the carrying of the Baton free of charge from Liverpool to Douglas via their vessel Manannan. It is also hoped that the baton will travel down from Douglas to Port Erin for the concert via our local steam railway on the evening of the concert, and be passed on promptly to the next Band by one of our local airlines.
Brass The Baton is being produced by the British Federation of Brass Bands and was awarded the London 2012 Inspire Mark last year in recognition of an exceptional and innovative project inspired by the 2012 Games.
Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “Brass The Baton is encouraging all Brass Bands to fulfil their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as the British Federation of Brass Bands we are delivering our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in Brass Band music making throughout the country.’
If you would like to see what else is happening during the Brass The Baton relay then please check out the website www.brassthebaton.com where an interactive map will show you what’s happening where and when at events across the UK.
Image Caption: The Steam Packet Company’s Captain Dermot O’Toole handing over the Baton to Peter Faragher of Rushen Silver Band'
