'Ex Terra Lucem' by composer Jonathan Bates is currently being enjoyed by both performers and listeners alike around the country as the set-work for the Second Section of the Regional Championships, but he recently he headed to Towcester to help inspire the next generation of brass band composers with a workshop for GCSE and A level music students.

Welcome back

It follows on from the success of his 2017 commission 'Towcester 917', written to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of the town, with Towcester Studio Band delighted to welcome him back once more to the local Sponne School to work with the talented students.

Jonathan worked on various composition techniques, focusing particularly on minimalism and serialism music, with the students working on serialist 'tone row' techniques.

They also listened and studied to some of the student's own compositions, including two pieces for jazz band, a duet for violin and viola and three brass band works.

Jonathan worked on various composition techniques, focusing particularly on minimalism and serialism music, with the students working on serialist 'tone row' techniques4BR

Strong links

Towcester Studio Band has enjoyed a strong link to Sponne School with a number of students playing in the band over the years — three of whom will be heading off to university to continue their studies and will be greatly missed by the band.