*
banner

Primary purpose boosts brass opportunities

A great new initiative called 'The Brass Brigade' has got off to a fantastic start in teh first of six primary schools in Harrogate and Wetherby.

The first class
  Youngsters are now enjoying their first taste of being in the Brass Brigade

'The Brass Brigade', a new primary school initiative led by St. John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate is making an immediate impact in delivering an introduction to brass playing to young children.

Over the last 6 weeks, six primary schools have signed up to the project which is being led by Craig Ratcliffe, Director of Music at St. John Fisher. He told 4BR: "It's such an exciting start. Over 200 students will have the opportunity to play a brass instrument this academic year."

Partnership

The project has seen the school work in partnership with Harrogate and Wetherby Silver Bands as well as the Harrogate International Festivals, and has just finished at its first primary school with 33 students inspiring the whole school in a short concert.

Speaking about the results, Jo Roxby, a class teacher at St. Robert's Catholic Primary School in Harrogate said: "This has been one of the best things we've done in school. All the students have looked forward to Monday mornings!"

Passionate purpose

Craig, who is also MD of both the Harrogate and Wetherby Silver Bands added: "We continue to see the downward trend of youngsters entering secondary school with limited opportunities to engage with peripatetic lessons at primary school.

I've been afforded the time to get out into our community and teach something which I'm passionate about. I believe that brass bands can deliver music and learning in a way that no other ensemble can."

The project means that students get a pTrumpet or pTrombone to take home and play for six weeks so they can practice and get to grips with the instrument.

Brass Brigade

As a result, eight of the class have decided they want to carry on playing and are now official members of 'The Brass Brigade Harrogate'.

A delighted Simon Lancaster-Brown, Chairperson of Harrogate Band added: "In forming the Brass Brigade Harrogate, our band members have come together to support these new musicians in a weekly rehearsal so they can access free tuition with their support.

We are completely committed to getting more young people playing and this project has partnership at its heart, which makes it unique".

The Brass Brigade will now move on to St. Josephs School in Wetherby with Wetherby Silver Band forming their own Brass Brigade band on a Tuesday evening. Young people from across the project will come together at the end of the year in a 'Big Brass Blow' to show what they have been up to.

We are completely committed to getting more young people playing and this project has partnership at its heart, which makes it uniqueHarrogate Band

Just the beginning

Along with the bands, all Brass Brigade members will become a Junior Friend of the Harrogate Festival, meaning they can access free tickets to festival concerts and events throughout the year.

"Hopefully this is just the beginning,"said Craig. "We have a number of great bands in the area and we want to support them. Being able to get directly into primary schools and follow up with evening tuition, at no cost to parents for an instrument is a great start."

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    


Elgar festival of brass

Top trio attracts audiences to Malvern

June 7 • There are still tickets left if you want to enjoy Cory, Black Dyke and Foden's in performance in Malvern


Perth

Entries now open for Scottish Festival of Brass brace

June 7 • Bands can now enter the popular Band Supplies Scottish Challenge Shield and Scottish Open sponsored by Besson.


Cambrian Brass

New band to be formed in Aberystwyth

June 7 • Cambrian Brass to provide a welcoming, inclusive home for players with the aim of competing at the Welsh Area in 2026.


City of Hull

Brooks and Beatty take dual baton role at City of Hull

June 7 • Daniel Brooks and Jonathan Beatty will spearhead the artistic and contesting focus of City of Hull Band.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


Chinnor Silver

June 7 • Our Community Band is meeting on Monday {9th} and would welcome anyone who fancies an extra friendly rehearsal,with coffee and cake involved.. We rehearse in our bandroom at 11am its free and it open to all abilities.. No commitment required.


Epping Forest Band

June 6 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Chelmsford Silver Bnad

June 6 • Front row cornet, solo horn & trombone players. We are a friendly, active non competition band established 75 years performing regularly in Chelmsford & Essex. Rehearsals averaging 26 players on Wednesday evenings at Broomfield Methodist Church Chelmsford


Duncan A. Beckley

BA, MA
Conductor, adjudicator, band trainer and teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd