BELLA TROMBA is a female trumpet quartet that will bring a touch of glamour as well as their own links to brass band music to Durham.

Group member Vicky Curran, from Manchester, has brass in her family background. Her father and grandfather were both brass band members and Vicky asked for a trumpet as a child, but tradition dictated that it was boys and not girls who got into the bands.

Meanwhile, her elder brother was expected to follow the family lead, but turned out to have no aptitude for it. Vicky picked up the discarded instrument and made it her own.

As an all-girl, all-trumpet quartet, Bella Tromba – which is Italian for beautiful trumpet – is unique within the music industry.

Each band member plays every trumpet – from piccolo trumpet to flugelhorn – and they have won praise for their outreach work as well as for their instrumental talent.

The band’s repertoire is a mix of classical, popular and jazz, presented with more than a touch of glamour.

Band member Jo Harris doesn’t believe that the group’s image detracts from their performance.

She said: “Of course, we will be glammed up in ball gowns, but I don’t mind it. If you are an entertainer you are there to put on a good show. If I was going to watch I would want to know the performers had made an effort. I’m all for it.”

This will be the first time Bella Tromba has played north of Harrogate and listeners can expect a few surprises.

Jo said: “It’s entertainment. We always aim to put on a good show, so there’ll be some things people would not normally hear – a piece by Paul Ayres that’s only been played once before, and something by Peter Maxwell Davies. But we’re also doing Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, so there’s some better known stuff as well.”

■ Bella Tromba, Wednesday, July 15, 8pm, Shadforth Village Hall. Price: £4 adults, £2 children, £10 family. Thursday, July 16, 7.30pm, Elvet Methodist Church, Durham.

Price: £8, concessions £6. Box office: 0191-332-4041.