Two-year-old Alice Wall with parents Joanne and Peter
Two-year-old Alice Wall with parents Joanne and Peter

A COMMUNITY music group gave a concert with a difference at the weekend when they encouraged the audience to have a go and make some noise.

The Community Music Group, which meets and practices at St Mary’s Church, in Barnard Castle, each Saturday, turned the tables on the audience at their latest event and challenged them to pick up a musical instrument and have a go.

The group, which combines wind, brass, percussion and strings, first gave a rousing performance of tunes from hit West End musicals as well as foot-stomping and hand clapping favourite, I am a Music Man, before inviting all assembled to have a go.

In addition to music, there was coffee and a cake to help raise funds to send three Barnard Castle guides – Alice Lawson, Megan Simmonds and Heather Brown – to the European Jamboree, in Gdansk, in Poland, next year.

Annette Burrows, the community music group leader, said she was delighted to see so many people and hoped to gain a few new members to the group.

She added the group were always on the look out for new members, particularly in the string section.

She said: “Anyone who has a violin lounging away in the attic, you’re more than welcome to come along and have a go with us.

“We’re not professionals and it doesn’t matter what your proficiency is. If you enjoy playing, come along to our practices.”

Anyone interested in joining the Community Music Group should contact Ms Burrows on 07411 825230.