Thank you to everyone who participated, either by playing or even dancing (we saw you!!!) or singing (if your children volunteered you...).  We promised we'd follow up with details of our teachers and musical groups in the local area who take on novices keen to develop their ensemble experience.  We hope this information is helpful and do feel free to contact us if you have any follow up queries or would like us to pass on a message or enquiry to any of the staff listed below.

Brass Discovery Day

The teachers

The first teacher was Sara Wallbridge who demonstrated the cornet and tenor horn. Sara is a peripatetic music teacher specialising in brass. Providing tuition locally to Wantage, Sara works with many of the local schools and in connection with the Wantage Silver Band.

The second teacher who demonstrated the "Hector Berlioz meets James Bond" methodology of trombone playing... was Phil Tarrant.  Phil studied Royal College of Music in London and is a highly experienced orchestral player and brass teacher based in the Reading area.

The third teacher who demonstrated a wide variety of mutes and their effects on the trumpet was was Andy Townsend.  Andy teaches brass at several local schools in the area, is a regular performer on the local jazz scene and is the MD of the Goring and Streatley Concert Band.

Local music groups

Finally, if anyone is interested in continuing their ensemble experience, we have listed below local groups and organisations who offer playing opporunities for young players.

• Goring and Streatley starter band: https://www.goringandstreatleyband.co.uk/starter-band

• Roke and Benson training band: https://rokeandbensonbrass.org/training-band/

• Pangbourne all-comers Band: http://www.pangbourneband.org.uk/home/allcomers-band

• Cholsey silver band: https://sites.google.com/view/cholseysilverband/home

• Blewbury brass band: https://blewburybrassband.org/learners/learner-band/

• Oxford County Music Service: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/music-service

• Berkshire Music Trust: https://berksmusictrust.org.uk/

The introduction to playing in an an ensemble was lead by Claire Salmon, one of the charity's founding trustees and MD of both the Goring and Streatley Starter Band and the Roy Bailey Big Band (who between them provided the majority of the volunteer band members)