Derek JamesHundreds of talented musicians, people of all ages and from all walks of life, will be coming together to entertain us in Norwich this summer - and all for free.Derek James

Hundreds of talented musicians, people of all ages and from all walks of life, will be coming together to entertain us in Norwich this summer - and all for free.

Members of a dozen great Norfolk brass, concert, big bands, quintets and quartets are now warming up for a dozen concerts in the Norwich parks and gardens.

Music will be in the air on Sunday afternoons from June to August as Norwich City Council's events team joins up with Brian Dermott to stage the shows.

'We are looking forward to a good summer,' said Brian, who launched the open-air concerts more than 10 years ago and is also the conductor of the Norwich City Concert Band.

There will be 12 shows in Eaton and Waterloo Parks, Chapelfield Gardens, Mousehold Heath and the Whiffler Theatre in the Castle gardens between 3pm and 5pm on Sundays.

Last year marked the 10th anniversary of the bandstands concerts programme and, despite the wet and windy weather last summer, the sun often made an appearance.

'These events are great, both for the audience and for the musicians and I am delighted that the council is supporting them again,' said Brian.

'We have some really good bands in Norfolk and we should be proud of them all.'

Broadland Brass from Cantley will be taking part for the first time this year, while the organisers welcome back Norfolk Reeds Quartet.

Mousehold Heath Defenders is holding an open day alongside the bandstand concert on Sunday, July 26, so there will be plenty of fun and games before the music strikes up.

'It's good to see music in the parks again and we hope the people will turn out to listen and enjoy the music,' added Brian.

'These events are great at getting people out enjoying their local parks and listening to a high standard of music.

'It makes for an enjoyable Sunday afternoon, especially if the weather is kind and even if it isn't, the band plays on,' he added.

DIARY DATES

The concerts are from 3pm to 5pm on Sunday afternoons.

t June 7: Eaton Park - Taverham Band.

t June 14: Waterloo Park - Hellesdon & Sprowston Band.

t June 21: Eaton Park - Dereham Band.

t June 28: Chapelfield Gardens - Norfolk Wherry Brass.

t July 5: Waterloo Park - Broadland Brass.

t July 12: Eaton Park - Pavilion Big Band.

t July 19: Chapelfield Gardens - Cawston Band.

t July 26: Mousehold Heath - Dereham Band.

t August 2: Chapelfield Gardens - Norwich City Concert Band.

t August 9: Whiffler Theatre - Norfolk Reeds.

t August 16: Eaton Park - Cawston Band.

t August 23: Mousehold Heath - Top Brass Quintet.