If you have a child of early school age, who wants to learn to play a brass instrument where would you go to help him or her with their request?
If you live in the Rugby area, then the best solution would be to join a âMINI BRASSâ for beginners and start your journey towards maybe becoming a professional musician. This group is a part of a community project, which helps children to acquire good musical taste and practical skills to play a brass instrument. You wonât have to pay for membership or instruments either â all this will be provided for your child free of charge.
While progressing with musical skills, your son or daughter will be transferred from âMINI BRASSâ to the âTraining Bandâ for the next level, followed by joining the Evolution Band to be eventually invited to join Bilton Silver (Rugby) Band, which consists of very experienced players.
I felt privileged and fortunate to take photographs of this special concert, which took place in St. Georgeâs Church in Rugby, in December last year. This was a pre-Christmas event, where three brass bands were performing classical and modern musical compositions. The modern architecture of the Church produces good acoustics and helps to accommodate a large audience.
Children playing in both Brass bands truly enjoyed their performance.
They were definitely going through the learning curve, honing their instruments, being widely encouraged and âvigorouslyâ supported by their admiring parents.
The bands were skilfully conducted by Diane Fisher (who is the Musical Director of both Bilton Silver Mini Brass and Bilton Silver Training Band and also a Repiano Cornet player with the Bilton Silver (Rugby) Band and her son Jack Fisher (Silver Bilton Brass Band).
Talented 18 years old Jack Fisher received the Bandperson of the Year 2015 award for his outstanding contribution to the Bilton Silver (Rugby) Band. He was the youngest recipient in the 35 year history of the award. Since then he has performed with the Band in different venues across the country, including the Royal Albert Hall. Later he became a Musical Director of Bilton Silver Evolution Band, followed by a position of the Band Master of Bilton Silver (Rugby) Band. His sister Jodie also contributed to the event, playing different instruments and helping with managerial duties.
The program included:
Improvisation No. 5 – Bryan Kelly, arranged by David Stowell
Hallelujiah (Jimmy Scanlon, Flugelhorn Solo) – Leonard Cohen, arranged by Alan Fernie
Do You Hear What I Hear – Nöel Regney, arranged by David Stowell
The soloists were William Thomson, the Principle Cornet of Bilton Silver Evolution Band and Jimmy Scanlon, Flugel Horn of Bilton Silver Evolution Band. The Principle Cornet of Bilton Silver Training Band is Ben Murray although he wasnât featured as a soloist on this occasion.
Silver Bilton (Rugby) Brass Band is one of the oldest music bands in the country, formed in 1893. The musicians of this band carried their professionalism through generations. Though the band comes from the village of Bilton, (Rugby, Warwickshire), it performs widely, participating throughout the year in different musical festivals such as summer fetes, Christmas concerts, Carol services, as well as in private events such as Weddings and other special occasions.
Musical Director of the Band Mark Allen has been passionate about Brass music since his teenage years, at first playing solo horn, later being involved into different activities of the Band such as European Tours, competing in the Albert Hall and Free Trade Hall and performing on the national radio.
âThe band is a traditional contesting brass band. It was also placed in the First Section of the National Brass Band Championships, which is the Midlands Regional Second Section Champions for both 2012 and 2013â.
The band always followed its purpose â to serve the community and to introduce brass music to children, âen passantâ keeping them off the streets.
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PS: I also took some Individual photos. If you performed at this concert you might find your photographs if you Click HERE to visit
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