Grimethorpe Colliery Band’s commitment to providing children in their local community with the opportunity to take the first steps on what will hopefully become a life-long passion for playing a brass instrument, has already begun to show fantastic results.

Fantastic results

Recently, cornet star Roger Webster returned to Birkwood Primary School to present a dozen up and coming young players with their Associated Board Royal School of Music exam certificates.

As reported on 4BR, members of the band have been nurturing the playing talents of a host of enthusiastic youngsters at the school over the past year, and recently twelve were entered into the exams — with all of them passing with flying colours.

Special assembly

This week a special school assembly was held where Roger presented the beaming young players with their exam certificates and medals – and all in front of the Chair of the Board of Governors and proud as punch parents and relatives.

Most popular teacher

Teaching co-ordinator Esther Sutton Smith told 4BR that the occasion provided positive proof, not just of the excellence of the Grimethorpe initiative, but the way in which playing a brass instrument helps build confidence in the children themselves.

"Roger is the most popular teacher in the school!

Everyone — from the Board of Governors and parents, and especially the children wanted to thank him and the band for what they are doing here with us – it’s become something very special."

Credit

Although surrounded by eager young players all taking the chance to get their photograph taken with him, Roger also ensured that a great deal of credit went to Grimethorpe’s partners in the scheme.

"The project has been helped immensely by John Ingman from the Barnsley Music Hub," he said.

"He taught the children throughout the inspirational project and has also been instrumental in its success to date."

Roger added: "The commitment to the project by Buffet Group has also been integral to its success, so everyone involved offers a great deal of thanks to Buffet's Arnaud Montoise for making this possible."

The results are clear to everyone. It was simply great to see so many smiling faces and gleaming music medals in and around our schoolTeacher Esther Sutton Smith

New members

Esther Sutton Smith now hopes that after such a successful start, more and more children will now want to become part of the project – and hopefully one day become members of Grimethorpe Colliery Band itself.

"The band isn’t short of new fans for certain – or potential new recruits in a few years time!

It’s been a great project – full of fun, led by inspirational tutors such as John, Roger and other members of the Grimethorpe Band.

The results are clear to everyone. It was simply great to see so many smiling faces and gleaming music medals in and around our school."