BRILLIANT BRASS: Above, Funky Style Brass, from France, entertain children at Toft Hill Primary School
BRILLIANT BRASS: Above, Funky Style Brass, from France, entertain children at Toft Hill Primary School

INTERNATIONAL brass bands have entertained primary school children across the dale as part of an annual county-wide festival.

Durham Brass sees bands from various parts of the world stage performances across the county and as part of the festival, musicians visited a number of schools across Teesdale.

Toft Hill Primary School enjoyed Funky Style Brass, from Toulouse, in France who have been regular festival visitors in the past ten years.

Spanish group Aristas del Gremio had children at Butterknowle Primary School on their feet dancing with their entertaining and often amusing show.

Pupils from Ramshaw Primary School joined in the fun at Butterknowle, which was funded by county councillor Heather Smith.

She said: “This is absolutely the most fun that I get to do with my council money. They all really enjoy it.”

Aristas del Gremio also put on a show for youngsters at Gainford Primary School.

The visit was funded by Teesdale Action Partnership.

Headteacher Chris Riley said: “It is great because it gives the children a different outlook on what brass is.

“It also encourages them to learn to play an instrument.”

She added: “It is really good fun.”

Children in years five and six at Middleton-in-Teesdale Primary School enjoyed a 45 minute workshop with Leeds band Back Chat Brass who taught them how to play Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk.

They later performed the song for the whole school.