THE hills will really be alive with music across Saddleworth on Easter Sunday — despite the lockdown.

The musicians normally play in local brass bands or on their own but they will blast out a popular Easter hymn from their locked-down locations at 12 noon to celebrate the Christian festival.

But during the present coronavirus outbreak, the famous bands are missing meeting together for rehearsals and concerts, at a particularly busy time of year when they prepare to play together for Easter and begin practice for Whit Friday.

Now musicians across the community are planning to go into their garden, balcony or terrace and play three verses of the popular hymn "Thine be the Glory".

They invite people to open their windows to listen or go out into their garden or balcony with their own instrument, while following the guidance advised by the government to prevent spread of the virus.

Richard Wooding, member of Boarshurst Silver Band said: “One of the greatest Easter hymns is ‘Thine be the Glory’ to the tune ‘Maccabaeus’, part of an oratorio by Handel.

“There are a huge number of musicians across Saddleworth and they are invited to join in playing this rousing hymn at 12 noon on Easter Day. Does it matter that we would not be synchronised? No!”

Team Rector of Saddleworth churches, the Revd Canon Sharon Jones, who plays the saxophone, said “We will really miss meeting to celebrate Easter this year.

“Playing ‘Thine be the Glory’ together yet apart in our homes is something all musicians can do. We invite everyone in the community and beyond to participate in any way they can. Easter is a celebration of the defeat of death; a day of joy and hope for the world.”

@ Musical scores are available for a large variety of instruments at https://coeis.uk/tbtg