The Durham County Brass Band Association Youth Festival of Brass recently hosted a ‘Brass the Baton’ initiative at Hetton Lyons Primary School, supported by the Northern Region Brass Band Trust and Arts Council of England.

Workshops

Youngsters from Hetton Lyons Primary School, Houghton Youth, Lanchester Youth and NASUWT Riverside Concert took part in an event that included group workshops in the morning and an open rehearsal in the afternoon, tutored by some of the areas well known top class players.

Dennis Todd, Jim Thompson, Steven Grant, David Smith, Stuart Gibson, Glenis Smith and Brian Adams provided top class tuition and tips to the thrill participants, with music including the obligatory ‘Going the Distance’ and a fine performance of ‘Tiger Rag’ in which the percussion players gave a twelve bar drum break.

It was a fantastic day of brass music making, bringing together the experience of the tutors and the enthusiasm and ability of the young up and coming brass players of the futureEvent spokesperon

Fantastic day

A spokesperson told 4BR: "It was a fantastic day of brass music making, bringing together the experience of the tutors and the enthusiasm and ability of the young up and coming brass players of the future."

All participants received a medallion to commemorate the day

Tutors and players had a wonderful day helped along by Vicky Adams and her team of helpers who provided lunch and refreshments throughout the day.