*
banner

World Mental Health Day

The importance of raising awareness and advocacy for mental health and well-being has been championed through the focus of brass bands by Gavin Higgins and Tabby Kerwin on Radio 3.

Mental Health
  Monday 10th October is World Mental Health Day

Monday 10th October is World Mental Health Day.

First celebrated in 1992, it aims to draw awareness and understanding of mental health issues, education and advocacy, and is recognised in more than 150 countries across the globe.

This year's specific theme focuses on making mental health and well-being a global priority.

Music Matters

As reported on 4BR, composer Gavin Higgins and mental health advocate Tabby Kerwin were recently guests on Radio 3's arts programme 'Music Matters' (Friday 7th October).

Dedicated to 'Music and Mental Health', presenters Tom Service and Dr Sally Marlow explored the topic through the lens of two themes: How music helps mental health and how musicians' lives are most exposed to the power of music to help or hinder their mental health.

Life saving

As Gavin Higgins said: "Things like music seem frivolous when people can't keep their homes and people can't afford to feed their kids. But it is not a frivolous thing. It's important. It's lifesaving."

Gavin spoke about his early life and mental health issues, as well as his how his recent 'Concerto Grosso' featured at the Proms with Tredegar Band and the National Orchestra of Wales has made such a positive impact. Excerpts of the performance were featured.

Awareness

Tabby talked about the pressures of judgment and competition in performance, as well as in running bands. She told 4BR: "It was a privilege to be invited to take part and bring more focus and awareness around mental health withing the brass band movement.

Brass bands offer us a unique environment to support the mental health of our musicians, and this is what I advocate for through 'Brass on the Mind', as we look to start conversation and hold discussions about the ways this can best be done as well as supporting bands through awareness training."

The programme also visited Bethlem Gallery to meet Gawain Hewitt and Fiona Lambert from City of London Sinfonia's 'Sound Young Minds' project, a music-making programme with young people under the care of psychiatric hospitals.

It was a privilege to be invited to take part and bring more focus and awareness around mental health withing the brass band movementTabby Kerwin

SBBA support

The broadcast came as the Scottish Brass Band Association has hosted another subsidised mental health awareness session for member bands with Tabby.

"That was really important with some really interesting conversations about supporting musicians of all ages and especially for those with neurodiversity.

I am grateful to SBBA for its commitment to supporting the mental health of its member bands."

Find out more

To join the conversations and find out more follow 'Brass on the Mind' on Instagram and Facebook and visit www.modefor.co.uk

To listen to the Music Matters show visit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001cns4

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    


British Open

Fewer than 30 stall seats left for British Open

September 4 • You will need to be quick to get a downstairs seat in the stalls for the British Open — but you can still bag a bargain discount for the Grand Tier to enjoy 'Star Crossed Lovers'.


4BR podcast

4BR British Open preview

September 2 • Join us on air on Wednesday evening to give us your views and opinions ahead of the 171st British Open Championships at Symphony Hall.


British Open

New additions to prize list at British Open

September 2 • The new champion will bag a record cash prize whilst a new cornet award adds to the individual accolades on offer at Symphony Hall this weekend.


Alexander Richter

Richter award for pioneering brass band advocacy

September 2 • Alexander Richter has been presented with the prestigious Eitelfriedrich-Thom Award.


Contest: 171st British Open

Saturday 6 September • Broad Street, Birmingham. B1 2EA


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Saturday 13 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL50 4SH


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Sunday 14 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham. . *Please note as of 24th August 2023 the date is provisional according to Kapitol Promotions website GL50 4SH


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Rushden Town Band

September 2 • 2nd Trombone position has become vacant as current holder off to University. Rehearsals Mondays and Wednesday at Rushden Hall. RTB is a friendly 1st Section band who have recently come back from their second tour abroad and also released their first CD.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

September 2 • Are you moving to the West Midlands this autumn or possibly fancy a change of bandroom scenery? The band are looking to recruit an Eb bass and a Kit Percussionist to help us with our varied and ever expanding range of events.


Cross Keys Silver Band

September 2 • We're looking for a 2nd Trombone player to join a strong section in a 2nd Section band based in South Wales. We have a number of community engagements and contests lined up for the rest of the year and into 2026. Rehearsals are from 19:30 on Tuesdays.


Dr Brett Baker

BSc (Hons), ARCM, PG Dip
Marketing Lead, Denis Wick & Alliance Products; Artist at Michael Rath Instruments


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd