Sunday 13th April was a very special day for Durham University’s conducting students, when Elgar Howarth led a whole day of lectures and masterclasses.

Emerging talent

Twelve emerging conducting talents had the enormous benefit of his advice and coaching in a range of technical and musical issues. The focus for the day was Howarth’s controversial 'Songs for BL', which all the conductors took in their stride and which the Fishburn Band played with relative ease during the evening masterclass.

Everyone involved – the conductors, the band musicians and the course leader found encouragement, benefit and inspiration from the visit of the maestroRay Farr

Contemporary views

Course leader, Ray Farr, took the opportunity to draw from Mr Howarth his views on contemporary banding in a wide range of matters, which included the future of bands and their musical direction.

Ray told 4BR: "His thoughts on the introvert nature of band contesting were shared and his encouragement to be more self critically aware was particularly relevant and thought provoking."

He concluded: "Everyone involved – the conductors, the band musicians and the course leader found encouragement, benefit and inspiration from the visit of the maestro."