*
banner

Porthouse set to lead new Summer School

Ian Porthouse will lead an innovative new Summer School in Bolsover next year.

Porthouse
 

Ian Porthouse is set to lead an innovative new Brass Band Summer School next year.

The week long Bolsover Brass Summer School will take place between 22nd & 28th July, and will offer a mix of tutorials, recitals, indoor and outdoor public performances and planned leisure activities giving participants the perfect balance to make the week long stay one to remember.

Olympic activities

Leisure activities will include visits to the areas local attractions as well as a crazy Olympic afternoon include Body Zorbing and master blaster laser tagging.

A spokesperson told 4BR: "It is going to be great fun and very inventive, so why not come and experience a summer school with a fun twist and innovative workshops that aim to give a fresh experience."

The summer school has been organised by Carole Hirst, Arts Development Officer at Bolsover District Council with Ian Porthouse as Artistic Director.

Star tutors

Ian will be working alongside David Hirst and Mark Wilkinson (soprano and cornets), Helen Williams (flugel and horns), Glyn Williams (baritones and euphoniums), John Barber (trombones), Gavin Saynor (tubas) and Mark Landon (Percussion).

Leading composer Kenneth Downie, will also be writing a new work that will be performed as part of the programme by 2010 British Open champions Tredegar, who will also participate in the event leading up to a joint concert on the Saturday evening.

It is going to be great fun and very inventive, so why not come and experience a summer school with a fun twist and innovative workshops that aim to give a fresh experienceBolsover spokesperson

Costs:

The summer school includes full board and hotel accommodation and will cost £450.

A non- refundable deposit of £200 is required to secure a place.

Places will be on a first come first served basis. Both non-participating and non-residential visitors are also welcome.

Innovative centre

The summer school will be hosted at the newly built Heritage High School in Clowne, Chesterfield, the innovative centre that provides outstanding facilities including private practice rooms, excellent rehearsal facilities and theatre.

Accommodation will be at the Ibis Hotel in Barlborough, Chesterfield just a few minutes drive away from Heritage High.

Further information

The summer school has been supported through the Rural Development Programme for England, which is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union, and is delivered by East Midlands Development Agency.

For further information visit www.bolsover.gov.uk/bbss or contact the event organiser on Tel. 07979 240423

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


NYGGB

National Youth Band opportunities

May 8 • The National Youth Band of Great Britain is looking to appoint new trustees and a librarian to help strengthen the organisation's heritage and future.


Albert Hall

Albert Hall tickets now on sale

May 8 • Tickets for the 2026 Championship Section National Final at the Royal Albert Hall are now on sale.


Band Supplies

Summer deals to grab at Band Supplies

May 8 • There are plenty of great deals to grab at Band Supplies on ex-demo and second hand instruments.


Emergency

BBE to host emergency planning webinar

May 8 • Make sure you have plans in place to protest valuable musical and memorabilia assets if potential disaster strikes.


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Woodbridge Excelsior Band

Saturday 9 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Harlow Brass Band - SPRING CONCERT - AN ANIMATION SENSATION

Saturday 16 May • St Andrew's Methodist Church. The Stow. Harlow. CM20 3AF


Ibstock Brick Brass

May 9 • Ibstock Brick Brass are looking for a Solo Cornet, 3rd Cornet, 2nd Horn, Bass Trombone and B Flat Tuba as we move into the second section from 2027. We are a friendly, ambitions and progressive band that rehearse at our own bandroom in Coalville.


Tintwistle Band

May 9 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a 2nd horn player to help complete the team. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Brunel Brass Organisation

May 8 • Brunel Brass is looking for a Solo Horn and Back Row Cornet to join our senior band. We are an ambitious, friendly band on the verge of promotion to the Championship Section and recently achieved our highest ever finish at the British Open Spring Festival


Ian Holmes

BA (hons), PGDip (RCM), ARCM, ALCM
Conductor, piano accompanist and educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd