*
banner

Ready, steady...INTERPRET! — Withington set to test conductors

Allan Withington's Conducting Summer School will be taking another innovatve look at how we go about the business of making music...

Withington
 

Allan Withington will be hosting his latest innovative Conducting Summer School in Leeuwarden later this year — with an emphasis on the interpretation of music.

As usual, the course will be open to conductors from all over the banding world — and will take place from Saturday 2nd July — Friday 8th July.

Ready, steady...INTERPRET!?

The course ethos is summed up in three simple words: 'Ready, steady...INTERPRET!' and will explore how conductors interpret music, and how they can explore different genres by engaging and understanding a multitude of emotions, techniques and inspirations.

Memorable meeting

As Allan told 4BR; "How does a dancer set to movement the music we play and indeed the way in which we play it? How can a vocalist relate his or her breath control to the playing of wind instruments; or how can a brass band understand the innate complexities of big band music or Monteverdi, Mozart or Wagner?"

He added: "It promises to be another memorable meeting of conductors eager to improve their outlook and skill sets, to open new doors to wider musical horizons."

Expert organisation

With the expert organisation and administration skills of Anja Abma alongside the musical talent of Soli Brass Leeuwarden (runner-up Championship Division Dutch Nationals 2015), Pro Rege Heerenveen (2015 Dutch First Division Champion), professional singer Fardau van der Woude and dancers from the Frisian Youth Dance Academy, the delegates will also have the unique opportunity of working equally enthused, committed and flexible counterparts.

How does a dancer set to movement the music we play and indeed the way in which we play it?Allan Withington

Rhetorical approach

Once again the mental, psychological and rhetorical approach to music making will be addressed by Mette Hojen a leading expert in leadership communication.

Mette is a Master of Arts in Rhetoric (University of Copenhagen), a former advisor and speechwriter to the CEO of the Danish Bankers Association and a past member of the Copenhagen Brass Ensemble, European Youth Band and Concord Band in Denmark.

She has gained a worldwide reputation for her development of leadership rhetoric of professional conductors and how these can be assimilated into business communication.

To enquire

To enquire about a place on the 2016 course, contact: allanwithington@yahoo.no

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Thoresby

Result: 2026 Wetherby March & Hymn Tune

June 15 • Thoresby Colliery takes 'The Drovers' march and hymn tune honours in Wetherby.


Newstead

Result: 2026 East Midlands March & Hymn Tune Contest

June 15 • Newstead Brass lead the march and hymn way to victory at a sunny Harborough.


wITHINGTON

Withington bows out with a Russian flourish

June 15 • The musical partnership between Allan Withington and Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band came to an end in France with a memorable musical flourish.


Alison Childs

Dedicated Childs services marked by Black Dyke Band

June 15 • The recent Black Dyke Brass Festival marked the retirement of administrator Alison Childs.


Barnsley Brass - Black Dyke Band

Thursday 25 June • St Mary's Church. Church Street. Barnsley S70 2AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Junior Guildhall Brass Band

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Royal Sackbut Collective

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Dobcross Silver Band - Mossley Band

Sunday 28 June • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF

Thursday 2 July • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Tintwistle Band

June 15 • We have a vacancy for soprano cornet, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up would love to get this seat filled!. As a second section band,we rehearse every Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our bandroom in Tintwistle under the baton of MD Jim Henson.


Cambrian Brass

June 14 • We are always happy to hear from anyone interested in joining our friendly, supportive band - whether you are returning to banding, looking for a new challenge, or moving to Aberystwyth for university.


Chinnor Silver

June 13 • We are looking for a Bb TUBA player to join our friendly,enthusiastic,progressive 1st section band.. Rehearsals are on a Wednesday and held in our own bandroom.. We have a varied but realistic calendar planned with possible overseas trip in 2027


Craig Roberts

BA (Hons), MA
Conductor / Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd