With the aim of developing bands in the Teeside area, 'Platform' (an arts and educational organisation in Teeside devoted to the promotion and advancement of classical music) recently took an unprecedented step towards helping their local brass bands.

Grant

With a sizable grant they invited some of the local bands to gather for a weekend of training.

Bands from the area included Billingham, Egglescliffe, Marsk and Lockwood and, because of the success of the weekend and the interest aroused, it is hoped to repeat the event at regular intervals4BR

Training sessions

Ray Farr, Conductor in Residence at Durham University, was brought in to lead these training sessions, which examined a whole range of issues in contemporary banding including performance techniques, motivation, and teamwork.

Bands from the area included Billingham, Egglescliffe, Marsk and Lockwood and, because of the success of the weekend and the interest aroused, it is hoped to repeat the event at regular intervals.