The 12th Mid-Winter Brass Workshop organised by the South West Brass Association was held this last weekend at the West Buckland School, North Devon, in delightful surroundings and glorious spring sunshine.

Intensive tuition

Over 70 brass musicians of all ages and grades received intensive tuition of new light music suitable for summer programmes culminating in a mini-concert on the Sunday afternoon of the music rehearsed over the two days.

First till last

The tutors Philip Harper, Brian Minear and Steve Sykes all expressed their appreciation of the players willingness to learn, attention to detail and the immense progress in performance of the music from that 'first horrible note at 10am on Saturday' to the excellent performance and presentation on Sunday afternoon.

Apart from the serious part of music making, the weekend also provided the social opportunity to meet new and old friends.

Apart from the serious part of music making, the weekend also provided the social opportunity to meet new and old friends4BR

Warm welcome

A very warm and sincere welcome was again given to the Association’s President, Goff Richards, and his wife Sue. Also it was a pleasure to welcome to the Sunday concert the Mayor and Mayoress of South Molton.

Overall, it proved to be an excellent weekend of music making and declared as probably one of the best Workshops organised by SWBBA. Next year's dates are 12th and 13th February 2011.

The Association’s Education and Training Programme will continue later in the year with a Cornet Workshop led by Jim Davies and Trombone Workshop led by John Barber, both on Saturday 2nd October in Launceston.

Busy 2010

There is also a 'Train the Trainer' Workshop led by Vivian Willcock on Saturday 16th October. Together with the Exmouth Festival (4th September) and the 64th Annual Championships(6th November), a very busy 2010 is in store.