Outside body

The Trust was founded in 1974 by the late Tom Dargon with the purpose of improving the standards and standing of Brass Bands in the Northern Region, specified as Northumberland, Cumbria, County Durham, and Cleveland.  It is funded mainly by grants from the Arts Council North East and by the Local Authorities of the region.  The Trust is a non-profit making charity and all officers and delegates are unpaid.

Workshops were first set up in 1975 and these have become the prototype of many similar workshops throughout the brass band movement. Concerts were arranged with guest choirs and top brass bands.  Guest soloists were also engaged.

Latterly, the education aspect has become the main activity, and youth workshops are currently organised in Cumbria and County Durham. Composers and arrangers have benefited from Trust competitions.