*
banner

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to hold free Brass Open Day

Horn, euphonium, baritone and tuba players can enjoy a great day of tuition and teaching at the RBC next month with Les Neish, Helen Varley and Chris Robertson.

RBC
  There is a great opportunity to enjoy a free day of tuition at the RBC

The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire has announced that it will holds its Tenor Horn, Euphonium, Baritone & Tuba Taster Day on Saturday 15th February.

Free day

A day long series of workshops, masterclasses and ensembles will be led by RBC tutors Helen Varley (tenor horn), Chris Robertson (euphonium) and Les Neish (tuba).

Entry is FREE, and all standards are welcome.

Players will have the chance to work with Helen, Chris and Les from 10.00am, and the day will feature warm-ups, ensemble playing, masterclasses and instrument-specific sessions, working towards an informal concert in the Conservatoire's Bradshaw Hall at 4.00pm.

Brass Extravaganza

The workshop day is part of a wider Brass Extravaganza weekend, which also includes performances by LSO trumpet James Fountain, trombone quartet Bones Apart, and the RBC Brass Band conducted by Ian Porthouse.

For younger children there will also be a morning 'Massed Blast' event led by educationalist Paul Fisher.

Absolute must

Speaking about the event, Helen Varley said: "We held our first taster event last year and were really delighted with the uptake.

For any young person considering the possibility of studying on a music course or working towards their audition this taster day is an absolute must.

The players will get to experience the full student life of working with RBC tutors and playing in the beautiful Bradshaw Hall, as well as getting the opportunity to chat directly with the current students to find out all about conservatoire life.".

For any young person considering the possibility of studying on a music course or working towards their audition this taster day is an absolute mustHelen Varley

Book online

Book online now to reserve your place.

Please note that all workshop participants are required to fill out the online form to secure their workshop place.

Event links:

RBC Brass Extravaganza — Royal Birmingham Conservatoire | Birmingham City University

https://www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/events-calendar/rbc-brass-extravaganza-15-02-2025

Workshop form:
RBC Brass Extravaganza 15th February 2025 (Page 1 of 4)
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=VeArfoqCI0W15bd62ZOXhf7BnFaevUpDq758c_lNk6JURVZWTkhBWVAwN1ZKSjBCT0lTUDRFRVg2Vy4u&route=shorturl

For a snapshot of life at RBC see the YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toGnmMyDRzI

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    


siddis

Results: 2026 Siddis Championships

November 8 • Manger become Norway's top entertainers for the first time since 2021, with section wins for Gjallarhorn, Bergen Brass, Oster Brass and Randaberg.


Spring Festival

Change in judging teams for 2027 Spring Festival

November 5 • A conflict of interest sees Dr Robert Childs step down from his Grand Shield adjudication appointment, with Col David Barringer now taking Senior Cup roll.


siddis brass

Live Wobplay coverage of Siddis Championships

November 5 • You can sit back and enjoy the Norwegian entertainment on offer from Stavanger on Saturday on the wobplay.com media platform.


Easington

Easington's backing to John Lewis festive advert

November 5 • Your can hear the sound of a brass ensemble from Easington Colliery Band on this year's John Lewis & Partners Christmas advert.


Dobcross Silver Band - Remembrance Concert

Sunday 8 November • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross. Oldham OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Band of the RAF Regiment Brass Ensemble

Friday 20 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver President's Concert

Friday 27 November • St George's Church, St Johns Avenue, Rugby CV22 5HR


West Yorkshire Police Band - Mid Yorkshire Breast Cancer Support

Saturday 28 November • Cluntergate Centre, Horbury WF4 5DA


Newstead Brass - The Snowman - Live

Saturday 5 December • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West, Forest Town. Mansfield NG19 0EE


Chinnor Silver

November 6 • We are looking to strengthen our top end and require an ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CORNET to join this friendly and ambitious 1st Section band.Good book of concerts and contests planned that includes a trip to Belgium.


Chinnor Silver

November 6 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting again on Monday (9th) and we welcome players of all abilities to join us for a relaxed and friendly rehearsal.Playing with us does not impact on your band. We meet in our bandroom at 11am it is all free including refreshments


Oxford Cherwell Brass

November 6 • Oxford Cherwell Brass invites applications for a new MUSICAL DIRECTOR . We seek a new MD who is committed to an inclusive positive approach towards enjoyment of music making and development. We are a friendly second section band (L&SC).


Martin Heartfield

GGSM, ARCM, PGCE
Conductor, Adjudicator, Educationalist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd