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Launched in the spring of 2006 to encourage less experienced brass players and complete beginners to find out what it is like to make music together, the Training Band is already a success. Aimed at children of all ages from 8 to 80+, the Training Band has around 16 regular players at the weekly gatherings starting at 6:30pm on Monday nights before the main bands rehearsal. Most players are youngsters but some of the parents have been persuaded to have a go.
The Training Band is run by players from the the main band. Individual coaching is provided for new starters until they are confident enough to have a go with the main group and if anyone needs a bit of help on a particular point, they can also have some one-to-one assistance. With this all-round approach, the players are making great progress and there is now a monthly award to the most-improved member.
Clearly, the hope is that players will progress through the Training Band to play in the main band as they become more skilled and vacancies occur. In fact, this is already happening and several players are regularly staying on for all or part of the main band rehearsal later in the evening.
Sale Brass has obtained several grants over the last year, some of which were to provide new instruments for the Training Band. Most of these are now in use but if anyone is interested in joining the training band but hasn't got an instrument, one can usually be found.
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The Training Band with Katrina Marzella & Brendan Wheeler. |
At a recent rehearsal, we welcomed a couple of very special guests: Katrina Marzella is Solo Baritone and Brenden Wheeler is Principal Euphonium with Leyland Band, the 2005 National Champions.
Katrina and Brenden are also winners of the BBC2 Young Brass Soloist competition and they are particularly keen to encourage younger players. On 23rd April, they came along to the Training Band rehearsal and gave us all some great advice, as well as some brilliant playing. We are delighted to say that they have promised to come and see us again soon.
What Next?
The Training Band team are also working on a number of new ideas. These include the purchase of new music for the training band which will be introduced over the coming weeks (paid for from the small £1 per week subscription) and playing at a couple of invitation events before the end of the year (we will be leaving the public concerts to the main band!).
So Come and Have a Blow!
If you've never played at all and would like to try your hand at brass banding or if you've had some lessons and would like to have a go at playing with a group or if you once played in the school band but gave it up when other things got in the way, please give our Training Band Coordinator a call on the number below. You will be more than welcome. Mums and Dads can sit in or just drop off and collect. Better still, they can have a go themselves!
Sale Brass has an established child protection policy. Among other things, this requires that everyone on the Training Band team must undergo an enhanced CRB (Criminal Records Bureau - www.crb.gov.uk) check. We have also appointed one of the parents as an independent Child Welfare Officer.
Contact:
Peter Corbishley - Training Band Coordinator 07968 807 691 for more information.