The Brass for Africa charity has announced the launch of its Alison Balsom Brass Music Development Fellowship.

The internationally renowned trumpet player is a Patron of the UK registered charity and non-profit organisation that uses music to empower and to improve the lives of extremely disadvantaged young people in Africa.

Life skills

Working with local organisations, Brass for Africa provides brass music education, performance opportunities and life skills training to young people from orphanages, street children projects, impoverished communities, and rehabilitation centres.

Work in Kampala

The successful recipient of the Alison Balsom Brass Development Fellowship will join the Brass for Africa team for one year in Kampala and will be responsible for the development of all brass music teachers, brass instrument learning and instrument stock in Uganda.

The Fellow will also serve as the conductor and Musical Director of the site's Senior Band and will supervise volunteers in music-related activities.

Changing lives

Alison told 4BR: "Brass for Africa is an incredible organisation extremely close to my heart and I am absolutely delighted to be able to launch this Fellowship. This vital role offers the possibility of changing many lives with the extraordinary power of music.

The person who wins this fellowship will not only share their knowledge and passion but will have a truly life changing experience."

Huge benefits

Meanwhile, Brass for Africa founder and Director Jim Trott added: "This is such an important position within the organisation — one which will bring huge benefits to the young people we are working with in Uganda.

It will remove the ceiling on music learning and give continuity of development to our young local teaching team and the many young people we support. The Fellowship is also a fantastic opportunity for a music professional to share their knowledge and gain extraordinary experience.

The person who wins this fellowship will not only share their knowledge and passion but will have a truly life changing experienceAlison Balsom

Grateful

He added: "We are extremely grateful and delighted that Alison has made it possible for the charity to launch this fellowship position.

Alison has been a staunch supporter of Brass for Africa since she visited Uganda in 2014 and this Fellowship is something very special that reinforces the importance and value of music education"

Find out more

For more information visit: www.brassforafrica.org