The well known Pritchard family is making a welcome, if albeit temporary return to the UK this week for a visit to family and friends as well as mixing business with a bit of brass band pleasure.

Eight years ago Gareth, wife Susan, son Gavin, daughter-in-law Rachel and granddaughter Stephanie emigrated to the USA. They set up home in Florida and settled into a wonderful family life — including the addition of a new granddaughter, Sophie.

Gareth is the Musical Director of the Brass Band of Central Florida and is regularly used as an adjudicator in the State as a member of the Florida Bandmaster's Association for their Concert Band Music Performance Assessments, Marching Band Music Performance Assessments.

Teaching

He is also employed by Volusia County as the Band Director at Creekside Middle School — a role that sees him inspiring new generations of youngsters.

"The system here is very different than the UK,"he said. "I have my own bandroom within the school where I teach for six periods a day. I have almost 150 children aged from 11-14 in my Wind Band programme, and they come to me for a period at a time depending on their ability level.

I have Beginning Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Jazz Band Classes. Each child at the school is able, in addition to the four core subjects, to choose an elective class like Band, Chorus, Culinary, Art, Dance etc. for two periods each day."

He added: "So, I see the same children in the same class every day, just like the Math teacher does. I suppose the only thing that could make this better would be six periods of brass band classes!"

Sports link

Gareth revealed that the children either use instruments supplied by the County or their parents rent them (on a rent-to-buy scheme) from local music stores. Money for uniforms, instruments and repairs is raised from Band Fees and parent fundraising schemes.

He said: "It does work, and it would be great if something like this could find its way into the educational set up in the UK. It would certainly benefit local brass bands."

However, the traditional link to school and college sports is also one of the reasons why music plays such an integral role.

"Because the American culture requires a Marching Band to play at University, College, High School American Football Games, the County/School have a responsibility to supply that throughout the school system, starting in Middle School at 11 years of age — every school in Florida has a band programme."

However, he added that if there is a negative, it is that at the end of High School/College/University most youngsters (unless they are going into the music profession) seem to quit playing instruments and so the amateur Wind Band movement in Central Florida is not as large as many would expect.

So, I see the same children in the same class every day, just like the Math teacher does. I suppose the only thing that could make this better would be six periods of brass band classes!Gareth Pritchard

Home visit

This week though they return home, stopping off for a first vacation back in the UK since they took the decision to move to the USA. They will visit old haunts, and spend time with youngest son Jordan, his partner Anna and newest granddaughter Ashley who all live in Stockport.

Whilst they are here Gareth is delighted to accept the opportunity to adjudicate at the Denton Whit Friday march contest — a return to the event he graced as a player and conductor and adjudicator.

On their return to Florida Gareth and Gavin will be launching their new online publishing Company — Glasswater Music, which will supply Brass Bands and Wind Bands (including School Bands) with new arrangements and compositions both electronically and in hard copy.