Verwood Concert Brass has announced that it has joined the line-up of Geneva Group Partner Bands

And despite the nationwide lockdown being in force, the band has already benefited from the association with Belgian euphonium star Glenn Van Looy leading a Zoom masterclass to players to help them with their 'stay at home' practice regimes.

New links

Speaking about the link, solo euphonium Ian Harris told 4BR: "We've been looking at new ways of keeping our 100 or so members of the organisation engaged during the lock down.

Through the partnership with Geneva, the opportunity arose to try out using Zoom video conferencing to allow our players to link up with their Performance & Development Artists — and we couldn't have asked for anyone better than Glenn."

Brilliant

Ian added: "He was brilliant; giving lots of hints and tips, with practical demonstrations and holding a Q&A session at the end. This went down so well we are taking advantage of holding further sessions with more of Geneva's artists, with Richard Marshall and Joseph Cook in the pipeline.

Having made this link to Geneva the benefits are already being felt — and we can't wait to get back into the bandroom."

Having made this link to Geneva the benefits are already being felt — and we can't wait to get back into the bandroomVerwood Concert Brass

Delighted

In response, Geneva Group General Manager, Brett Baker added: "We're delighted to welcome Verwood Concert Brass into our select group of partner bands.

They have already enjoyed just some of the benefits it brings and we look forward to working more closely with them when restrictions are lifted."