This years summer schools......
The summer of 2011 will see David Thornton teach at two residential schools - The Wessex Band Summer School and The National Children's Brass Band.
The Wessex Summer School (Mon 25th July - Saturday 30th July 2011)
What is the Wessex Band Summer School?
The course is for woodwind, brass and percussion musicians of all ages and standards. Abilities range from beginners to those of diploma standard. It is open to people from all parts of the country.
Students join one of three bands appropriate to their standard and instrument. No auditions are necessary. Band and sectional rehearsals are held on an exciting programme of music with a variety of items to challenge everyone.
The Course runs from the 25th to the 31st July 2011 and is held at Sturminster High School, Sturminster Newton, Dorset.
The Bands
The Training Band is for brass, woodwind and percussion players from grade 1 up to grade 4 standard. Adults or young players are normally at the earlier stages of learning. The week provides a progressive introduction to group playing for the less experienced musician. There is group tuition and specialised tutorials. The week finishes with a concert for parents and friends.
The Brass Band (brass and percussion) and Wind Bands (brass, woodwind and percussion) are for players of all ages from around grade 4 upwards. The days are made up of full band and sectional rehearsals on an exciting programme of music with a variety of items to challenge everyone.
The Course concludes with concerts for both the training and main bands on Saturday 30th July. The Training band concert will be on Saturday Morning with the Main Band concert on Saturday afternoon. Both concerts are held at the stunning Exchange theatre in Sturminster Newton. Click here for full details of the concerts.
The Dates for the 2012 course are Monday 30th July 2012 to Saturday 4th August 2012 at the same venue.
The National Children's Brass Band (Monday 1st August - Saturday 6th August)
The National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain came into being in 2004 for the most gifted and talented children in the country aged between 8 and 14 years who play a brass instrument. It was the brainchild of Dr. Nicholas Childs, Council member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and now Music Director of the NCBBGB. Since 2004, under the direction and leadership of Nicholas and supported by a dedicated team of staff, the band has staged an annual one week summer residential course at Bromsgrove School in Worcestershire and latterly Repton School in Derbyshire. Each year the course has expanded and now runs for a full week, and each year the band has grown in membership to the current record level of 58 members.
Over the years the repertoire performed has become far more advanced, a challenge the band has met with ease. The band regularly performs to a sell-out audience at its end of course concert. Since 2004, more than 50 players have graduated from the NCBBGB to the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.
The National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain has a very progressive commissioning policy and has commissioned Philip Wilby, Philip Sparke, Paul Lovatt-Cooper, Peter Meechan and Gavin Higgins to write major works in since its inauguration.
Soloists who have appeared with The National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain include David Childs, Richard Marshall, Brett Baker, David Thornton and Joseph Cook.
For more information about The National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain, please contact Philip Biggs on 01223 234090.
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