International trumpet star Alison Balsom, has been encouraging school children to ‘pick up an instrument and play’ as part of a major new nation-wide music education initiative.

Visits

Alison, who will shortly embark on a UK tour celebrating the release of her number one album ‘Paris’, has been visiting schools across the UK to lead a series of introductory music classes for children.

The project aims to more youngsters to take up music, and coincides with the publication of a survey by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music that concluded that inspirational role models like Alison, are one of the most important factors for encouraging children to play an instrument.

pTrumpets

The venture is partnered by the Warwick Music Group, producers of the pTrumpet – 25 of which were donated to the tour.

Alison has already visited Colville Primary School in London, St Martins CE primary school in Birmingham and Moorside Community Primary School in Manchester, with support from The Royal Albert Hall, Sandwell Music and Arts Service (SMAS) and the Salford’s Music and Performing Arts Service (MAPAS).

I couldn’t be more excited about these projects, especially as they will create a long lasting legacy of brass instrumental learningAlison Balsom

Legacy

Alison commented: "I couldn’t be more excited about these projects, especially as they will create a long lasting legacy of brass instrumental learning."

Chris Fower, Director of Education at Warwick Music Group, added: "Alison is inspirational and the children at the schools were enthused by her infectious approach. I am delighted that Alison is directly engaging with the next generation of brass players through these projects."