The 2015 Bolsover Summer School recently finished on a high note under Course Directors Brett Baker, David Thornton and Joseph Cook, after six days of excellent music making based at the Heritage High School in Clowne in Derbyshire.

Literally so

It was literally so with the Foden's euphonium star as David wowed the end of course concert audience with stunning performances of 'Rhapsody for Euphonium' by Paul Sharman, Monti's famous 'Czardas' and 'In Christ Alone' arranged by Richard Phillips.

All three former Black Dyke players also conducted the Bolsover Summer School Band in a contrasting programme which included old favourites such as 'Trumpets Wild, 'The Cossack' and 'Swedish Folks Song, as well as newer works such as 'Olympus', Richard Rock's 'Cloak & Dagger' and the specially commissioned 'The Lion and the Rose' by Philip Wilby, inspired by a poem about the local historic Bolsover Castle.

Arts Awards

The Bolsover Summer School Junior Band also performed a 15-minute spot conducted by Martyn Harris.

Both Martyn and David Morris were involved with younger delegates taking part in the Trinity College London 'Arts Awards' scheme — an arts equivalent of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

It involved people working with photography, making a documentary film and interviewing delegates as well as the band celebrities that visited the course.

Read and Wilby

Those included David Read MBE who gave a wonderful talk about his life and answered questions on the subject of adjudication, and Philip Wilby, who gave out the course prizes as well as taking part in his own fascinating question and answer session.

Other highlights included the tutor's concert featuring the likes of Mark Wilkinson, Ray Payne and Brian Winter alongside the course directors — both as an ensemble and as soloists accompanied by Ruth Webb.

It was not all serious work though as delegates also enjoyed the chance to visit and perform at both Bolsover Castle and Harwick Hall.

Excellent feedback

Bolsover Summer School's Carole Hirst told 4BR: "The feedback from the course has been excellent, with delegates praising the individual time spent in tutorials and through the one-to-one lessons provided by each section tutor.

Delegates also praised the high quality facilities at the High School and the attraction of having all facilities on the ground level which gave ease of access.

Many delegates thought the sight-reading evening led by David Hirst was the highlight though — a skill that everyone thought they needed to improve on!"

The feedback from the course has been excellent, with delegates praising the individual time spent in tutorials and through the one-to-one lessons provided by each section tutorCarole Hirst

Next year

Carole also revealed that bookings for next year's course are already being taken where the guest composer will be the talented Salvationist composer Steven Ponsford.

Meanwhile Course Director Brett Baker added: "There has been a great sense of excitement and enjoyment on this year's course — so much so that many of the delegates signed up halfway for next year!"