Last year, Warwick Music Group were delighted to be involved with the Durham Brass Festival and to sponsor the Big Brass Bus, which aimed to inspire and encourage as many young musicians as possible -whilst celebrating the loud and wonderful world of brass.
This year, the festival is hosting a Big Brass Bash, bringing free concerts to communities across Durham.
After last year’s success, we were contacted by the Smith family. We wanted to share their story as just one example of how music can touch people’s lives and make a lasting, positive difference.
“As a family, we had a great week of free entertainment by performers from around the world. My daughter Chloe took the opportunity to try and play an instrument that you provided. She found it really easy to play the trombone – a ‘natural’, the supervisor said! She was given the chance to discover a hidden talent and made us so proud, and it also gave her a huge boost.
As a result, Chloe gained the confidence to learn music and to take up an instrument, and now plays brass tenor horn and is working towards her first exam. She also wants to take music as one of her GSCEs. She has joined the school band and plays with a junior brass band for Fishburn Academy Band.
Chloe is now more confident, works harder at school and has more responsibility. She was asked to do a solo at Christmas at school and one of the teachers wrote a piece specially for her instrument.
This all came about because you got involved with a local event and provided equipment for people, young and old, to explore music and try a new instrument. Thank you!”
Thanks to the Smith family for getting in touch – keep playing Chloe!
For more information about this year’s festival and to find out what’s happening near you, visit: http://www.brassfestival.co.uk/
Kate Greenall
Kate has always had a love for music and after starting to play the clarinet aged six went on to study music at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. She joined Warwick Music Group in 2010 as Social Media Manager and now serves as Chief of Staff where her role is the day to day management of the team. She ensures activities are streamlined within the organisation, supporting the priorities of the business to help it grow. She now spends most of my spare time supporting my three children as they learn their own instruments!
