Bousfield holds the key at BBE Conference

Trombone virtuoso Ian Bousfield will give the keynote presentation at the forthcoming Brass Bands England Conference as further 'Banding for All' speakers are announced.

Bousfield to lead key speakers at Brass Bands England Conference

Brass Bands England has confirmed that trombone virtuoso Ian Bousfield will be the key speaker at their forthcoming Annual Conference.

Ian's keynote speech will focus on this year's conference theme of 'Banding for Life'.

Presentations

In addition, BBE has revealed further details of the speakers who will give talks and presentations at the hybrid in-person/on-line conference on Saturday 22nd October in Sale.

Sean Chandler is a deaf professional musician, teacher, freelance workshop leader, educator and consultant for deaf and Deaf (the two constructs surrounding deafness) children and young people.

His presentation will focus on the pedagogy behind teaching D/deaf children and young people to play.

Kate Lock is passionate about tackling climate change and breathing new life into brass bands. Her work at the University of Leeds involves communicating climate change and helping to drive climate action at the local level.

Her discussion will focus on why bands should engage with the climate crisis has finally brought her day job and hobby together.

Bollywood and UniBrass

Kay Charlton is from Bollywood Brass Band, the UK's pioneering Indian-style wedding band.

Kay composes and arranges music for the band and leads on their education work. She also has experience of teaching brass, WCET and KS2 music. Her digitally delivered presentation will focus on Bollywood Brass' journey, and her experience and research into Whole Class Instrumental Teaching.

Thomas Hicken and Abi Groocock are Chair and Vice-Chairperson of the UniBrass Foundation.

Abi is also a Projects Manager for the orchestral and classical music programme at Sage Gateshead, whilst Thomas is a Postdoctoral Physicist at Royal Holloway University of London.

Their presentation will showcase the work of UniBrass in providing 'the missing link' between youth and adult/community banding.

Education and expertise

Kerry Baldwin has 25 years' experience as a brass teacher in a range of education settings.

She completed a BA and MA in music before undertaking a PhD in trombone performance at the RNCM. Kerry learned through the Lions Youth Brass and is a former member of the Leyland Band.

Since 2018, she has taken the role of Regional Development Executive at ABRSM, developing long term relationships with key teachers and music organisations across the North West. Her session will focus on the refreshed ABRSM Brass Syllabus.

As well as independent speakers, a number of Brass Bands England staff members will be presenting on their fields of expertise, including fundraising expert Pamela Johnson, and Brass Foundations youth experts Sheila Allen and Helen Minshall.