Bolsover District Council has announced that it has been awarded an Arts Council England ‘Grants for the Arts Award’ to support the arts within the Bolsover District. The £10,000 grant will support projects for the next two years.

Festival benefit

One of the first to benefit will be the Bolsover Brass Summer Schools of 2013 & 2014, which are being jointly led by tutors Mark Wilkinson and Glyn Williams of Foden’s Band.

Mark and Glyn will be joined by stars David Hirst, Helen Williams, John Barber, Stewart Baglin and Mark Landon, and included in this year’s programme will be an individual lesson for each full-course participant, a conducting workshop, master classes and the opportunity to play ensembles and solos performed to the full band.

Concerts

The Summer School Brass Band will perform a concert at Creswell Crags on the 26th July, followed by Hardwick Hall on the 27th and the final concert on Sunday 28th July at Heritage High School, featuring Mark, Glyn and Helen as guest soloists.

Aim

Mark Wilkinson told 4BR: "One of our main aims will be to enjoy the balance between learning and social activities through our varied programme of music, lessons, classes, concerts and planned trips.

Delegates will be staying in hotel accommodation and we feel it will be a great week."

Junior Brass

Fellow Foden’s star Mark Bousie will also lead a separate one day session for junior brass players from Grade 1 to 5, which will be staged on Thursday 25th July.

Mark added: "This will be a fantastic opportunity for young brass and percussion players to explore all the best aspects of playing in a brass band. The day will aim to help improve instrumental and ensemble skills."

Family Day

In addition, Mark will also lead a one day family session providing the opportunity for aspiring young musicians aged between 4 and 9, to discover the joys of playing a brass instrument.

The young musicians will take part in fun group sessions, delivered in the ‘Wider Opportunities’ teaching style, enabling them to take their first crucial steps in learning an instrument.

It is hoped that by the end of the day they’ll be able to play their first tunes, whilst both parents and carers are encouraged to take an active part in the sessions too.

Overall package

Mark concluded: "Both days are separate from the main summer school activity, but will add to the overall package of activities offered to local young people."

Finally, as part of an on-going commitment to the legacy of brass band music making, Bolsover Council will be commissioning well known Salvationist composer Paul Sharman, to write a 12 minute work which will be premiered at this year’s Summer School.

One of our main aims will be to enjoy the balance between learning and social activities through our varied programme of music, lessons, classes, concerts and planned tripsMark Wilkinson

New music commission

Paul will be working with Carole Crompton, Arts Development Officer to create a piece that will have relevance to the local area, and will be joining the summer school on Sunday 28th July to give a workshop and attend the premiere performance.

For more information please visit http://www.bolsover.gov.uk/bbss.html