ONE of Britain's best known brass bands is making a return visit to Ipswich, it has been announced.

ONE of Britain's best known brass bands is making a return visit to Ipswich, it has been announced.

The Fairey Band, from Stockport, Cheshire, is appearing at the Ipswich Corn Exchange on Saturday April 4.

The concert is being presented by the Ipswich Charity Concert Committee.

Committee secretary Tim Mutum said: “We are delighted to be welcoming back the Fairey Band after a three year absence.

“The band's varied programme will include the finale from Tchaikovsky's second symphony, “The Little Russian”, Liszt's “Les Preludes” and Ravel's “Pavanne”.

“On a lighter note an arrangement of Michael Jackson's “Thriller” will open the second half.

The Band was formed in 1937 as the Fairey Aviation Works Band and is one of the legendary names of the brass band movement. Fairey have been British Open Champions 16 times and have won the Champion Band of Great Britain title on nine occasions.

The band appeared in Paris last autumn and has also visited Canada, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Holland and Austria

Proceeds from the concert will be divided between The Level 2 Youth Project in Felixstowe (which provides an open - access drop - in centre for young people aged 10 - 25) and the Mayor of Ipswich's charities (The Fire Fighter's Charity, the East Anglian Air Ambulance and the Ipswich Children's Hospice).

Tickets for the concert, which begins at 7.30pm, cost �12 (concessions �10) and can be obtained from the Central Booking Office in Princes Street, Ipswich or by telephone on 01473 433100.

Are you a fan of the Brass Band sound? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk