Children from three junior and two high schools in Norfolk came together at the weekend for a highly enjoyable group session of brass band training.

Early Christmas

The children aged 7 – 16, form the 50 strong training section of the Stalham Band and together with their tutors, they practised pieces of music at various levels including plenty of early Christmas carols.

As part of a pilot scheme developed two years ago by the band’s MD Dr. Tim Thirst MBE and Arts Council England to return music-making to schools, the children receive brass instrument training within the school curriculum and also in after-school sessions.

Generous support

The cost of instruments, music, tuition, visits and special events is all paid for by the scheme which has received generous support from local and national charitable trusts. Children and parents have to bear none of the cost.

In the last two years over 150 children from schools in the area have received free training, and as they reach the required standard they join the Stalham Band to hopefully become full members.

These weekend sessions are not only about training, but also about the children making music together outside the normal school environmentMD, Tim Thirst

Making music together

Tim told 4BR: "These weekend sessions are not only about training, but also about the children making music together outside the normal school environment and feeling much more a part of the brass band which they are aiming to play in.

It also gives parents who may not see their children being trained within school a chance to come and join in as well."