The 15th Mid-Winter Brass Workshop, promoted and organised by the South West Brass Band Association, with help from the Arts Council and TT Coaches, took place last weekend at West Buckland School, near Barnstaple in North Devon.

Well balanced

The event attracted 90 brass musicians of all standards and aged from 10 to 70 plus, who came together to form a well balanced band.

The players were put through two days of intensive tuition by David Barringer, Alan Fernie and John Maines on nine compositions, new to the majority of the delegates, and kindly donated by Studio Music, R Smith & Co, Wright & Round, Kirklees Music, Obrasso and composer Kenneth Downie.

Hard working

With a series of hard working sectional and full rehearsals the event cumulated in an end of course concert presented to a small but appreciative audience including the Mayor & Mayoress of South Molton.

The tutors were unanimous in their praise of all the participants, congratulating them not only for their willingness to extend their individual and ensemble playing talents, but to mix socially with their fellow players from 20 separate bands.

Accolades

SWBBA Secretary Brian Elliott is already receiving many accolades for the event, including e-mails talking of ‘another super weekend’ that was ‘fantastic and rewarding’, ‘successful’, with one player stating simply, ‘I loved it!’

SWBBA Secretary Brian Elliott is already receiving many accolades for the event, including e-mails talking of ‘another super weekend’ that was ‘fantastic and rewarding’4BR

Idea

The workshop was the innovative idea late Goff Richards, President of the SWBBA until his death, and in his memory, Sue Richards created an annual award to the two players who the tutors considered had shown leadership and bravery with their playing over the two days.

The recipients of the monetary vouchers, presented by Sue were trombonist Nigel Joy and flugel horn Ellie Joy.