The International Brass Band Summer School is holding its landmark 20th annual course this week at Swansea University Campus.

Innovative

The week long residential course has been developed under the leadership of Dr Robert and Dr Nicholas Childs and is now regarded as one of the most innovative and enjoyable courses of its type in the world.

Worldwide

Over 100 delegates have made the trip to South West Wales this year, including players from the UK and Europe, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland and Brazil.

The delegates receive expert tuition from leading instrumentalists such as David Childs, David Thornton, Owen Farr and Richard Marshall, both individually and in small and large ensembles, whilst there is also plenty of fun and games to be had as well.

Night at the Movies

4BR was in Swansea on Wednesday to enjoy the now traditional Welsh version of the Whit Friday marches at three venues on the University campus, which saw three rival bands play to large numbers of somewhat curious residential students from many of the other courses taking place there during the week.

Wednesday evening also saw a highly enjoyable concert featuring the tutors band, entitled, 'A Night at the Movies', which saw over an hours worth of music accompanied by on screen projections — everything from Austin Powers to the American Civil War.

After a long week of rehearsals the course culminates in a Gala Concert at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall this Friday4BR

Tactics

The night was rounded off by a light hearted general knowledge quiz that saw some ‘underhand’ tactics by the ‘Titlarks’ tutors team that saw them win with a suspiciously high score – only for them to be found out as the answers fell out of their pockets on the way to celebrate at the bar!

Organ finale

After a long week of rehearsals the course culminates in a Gala Concert at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall this Friday at 7.00pm, where in addition to the bands and soloists, the finale will include the great Brangwyn organ in full turbo power mode.