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Youth focus gains financial boost at BiC

The popular series of Brass in Concert workshops and taster sessions gains a financial boost thanks from Arts Council England.

Young trombonist
 

This year’s ‘Focus on Youth and Education’ at the Brass in Concert Festival in Gateshead has received a financial boost by securing Grants for the Arts funding from Arts Council England.

Benefit

The Brass & Percussion Workshops, Taster Sessions and Concourse Concerts by the Workshop Band and Seindorf Beaumaris Youth Band on the weekend of the 15th/16th November, will be led by Philip Harper.

Participants will also benefit from tuition and rehearsal sessions in the state of the art music education studios at The Sage with players from Cory Band.

Whilst the emphasis is on youth, players of all ages and standards are welcome to book their place.

Secure future

Brass in Concert spokesperson John Woods told 4BR that the event was delighted to receive an important funding boost to help secure future Brass in Concert education events.

"This really does demonstrate to the brass banding community that funding opportunities are available and acknowledges the work by Brass Bands England and Chairman Mike Kilroy in raising the profile of banding with funding bodies and at parliamentary level over recent months."

Valued support

He added: "The valued support of Yamaha, which will provide instruments for use in the Taster Sessions, taking place on the Sage concourse between 11.00am and 1.30pm, is acknowledged, together with Joicey Trust, Catherine Cookson Trust and Barbour Foundation."

This really does demonstrate to the brass banding community that funding opportunities are availableJohn Woods

Swing time

It was also announced that Dutch champion Brass Band Schoonhoven, will give an informal afternoon concert followed by a ‘Swing Masterclass’, given by players from Brass Band of Central Florida, led by conductor Chad Shoopman.

Places on the workshops are still available and can be booked by calling 07580 187974 or downloading an application form from Brass in Concert website.

More information

In addition, applications can be made through Sage Gateshead Box Office at ticketoffice@sagegateshead.com or by calling 0191 443 4661.

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Ian Holmes

BA (hons), PGDip (RCM), ARCM, ALCM
Conductor, piano accompanist and educator


               

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