Talented youngsters from Consett Junior Brass drew crowds to Consett and Blackhill Park this afternoon for a concert celebrating their 50th anniversary and paying tribute to late founder David Jackson.
Crowds filled Consett and Blackhill Park on June 16 for the monumental 50th anniversary of Consett Brass, as the junior offshoot of the band played pieces with White River Brass, delighting the audience.
Armed with chairs and blankets, family, friends, and pupils gathered to watch the children of Consett Junior School kick-off celebrations and honour founder David Jackson who set up the band in 1973 but sadly passed away in April 2021.
Read more: Consett Junior Brass celebrate 50th year & David Jackson with concert
Sun shining brightly in the sky, the bands played classics including the Wallace and Gromit theme, hymn song Hazelmere and Beatles classic Eleanor Rigby.
During the set, band conductor Brett Baker brought up the late Mr Jackson, joking about how he was playfully nicknamed as the “Mayor of Consett” for his prominence in the community.
Mr Baker, who has been leading the band with workshops, continued: “Walking down the street David would get recognised, he was like a local celebrity.”
Mr Jackson is well known within the Consett Community for his work as a teacher but more notably being the founder of Consett Brass back in 1973.
David has been described by many as a “pillar of the community”, as he taught thousands of children to play music across his 50-year career until he, unfortunately, passed away in 2021.
However, David’s presence was felt by all at the concert that took place in front of not only a commemorative bench that was placed for him but also inside and beside a bandstand that he helped bring to the park that now bears a plaque commemorating his life.
Despite the sweltering heat at the park, the year five and six youngsters kept their energy up, with the crowd clapping along to their final piece Young and Free.
One young player named Jude was given the spotlight at the start of the performance in the form of a short solo, as the crowd went wild with their biggest cheers yet for the young boy.
Following the event, Deputy Headteacher of Consett Junior School and band leader Rebecca Waters expressed her pride in the children who had worked so hard leading up to the special day.
Read next:
- Community mourns Consett teacher David Jackson
- Memorial plaque in honour of Consett teacher David Jackson
She said: “I am just so proud of the children and everything that they have done.
“I woke up today just hoping that we would do David proud, and I think we have done that.”
David Jackson’s son, Marc Jackson, still a keen member of Consett Brass, was also in attendance at the park and watched the concert celebrating not just the band but also the lasting legacy of his late father.
Marc said: “To be here and to listen to the progress the children have made, even just in the last few weeks, is so inspiring.
“This year brings the 50th year of Consett Brass and for all that my father did for the band, seeing that legacy is spectacular.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here