Making Music, the music leisure time organisation that represents over 4,000 groups and 228,000 musicians has announced that composer Debbie Wiseman OBE is to gift a work originally written for the brass band medium, for this year's Make Music Day celebrations on 21st June.

One of the UK's most successful composers, the Classic FM Composer in Residence was recently reappointed as the organisation's President. Her works have been heard to accompany the BBC series 'Wolf Hall' to the Coronation of Charles III.

March

'The Down Ampney March' has previously only been performed at the 75th anniversary commemoration of Operation Market Garden held in 2019 at All Saints Church, Down Ampney, Gloucestershire

It will now be arranged for the Big Summer Wind Orchestra and Choir which will this year be performing for Make Music Day at Potters Fields Park near Tower Bridge.

Last year, the event drew over 200 performers to take part in this scratch band and choir, performing a whole range of music to a huge audience on the longest day of the year.

Free event

This free public event, supported by Team London Bridge, will take place from 7.00pm on the evening of Friday 21st June at Potters Fields Park by Tower Bridge in South London.

All musicians are welcome to register in advance on the Big Summer Wind Orchestra and Choir website, so that they can be sent music and then join in with their instrument or voice.

I'm honoured to have been given the chance to expand the 'Down Ampney March' into a wind band arrangement for this very special occasionDebbie Wiseman OBE

Honoured

Speaking about the initiative, Debbie Wiseman OBE, said: "I'm honoured to have been given the chance to expand the 'Down Ampney March' into a wind band arrangement for this very special occasion.

Make Music Day is a fantastic opportunity for musicians of all abilities to turn up with their instruments — and voices! — and join to celebrate the joy of music-making."

Delighted

In response to the news, Barbara Eifler and Seamus McGibbon, Co-Chief Executives of Making Music, said: "We're delighted that Debbie has agreed to continue as our President, and this year is also supporting Make Music Day.

It is the biggest global annual grassroots celebration of music free to the public, bringing music to people in unexpected places."