Projects Since 2015
Students
Hours of music
Concerts
Our Vision
Co-producing sustainable grassroots music-making spaces with marginalised communities
Collaborating on projects with local and regional arts organisations
Advocating at national levels with music-sector partners
Our Impact
Is felt in the musical communities we have created in Leicester and Cumbria.
Members of Drum and Brass music groups develop not only musical skills but also confidence and strong identity.
Our Team
Get to know our directors and what they have to share.
Julie Hoggarth
Julie Hoggarth is a passionate advocate for brass bands in Cumbria, where she currently lives. However she spent the last 30 years in Leicester, where she established Drum and Brass with colleague Hari Trivedi
My favourite kind of ensemble is one in which musicians come together with open minds and ears, no preconceptions and a minimal structure and just explore. I also hugely enjoy playing with brass bands. The big warm harmonies and gut-pounding rhythms are the embodiment of community music for me. I like unusual configurations of instruments or repertoire that test the boundaries a little (a lot).
I’m attracted by the concept of community music – bringing people together, celebrating something or other and the sum of the whole being better than its individual parts. If an ensemble has a sense of adventure and risk, I am attracted by that. I like a friendly atmosphere with a tea break and the sense that everyone is valued for what they bring.
I’m put off when there are unspoken rules, poor organisation, lack of clarity and competitiveness. I think I do seek a sort of socialist ideal in music ensembles. I am put off by the idea of cover bands (and often worry that that includes all orchestras and bands in fact), conservative approaches, lack of openness to try new things and any kind of exclusive attitude.
Raven Taylor
My name is Raven and I am one of the directors at Drum and Brass. My main role is running our marketing campaigns but I also help out at some of the teaching groups.
I am new to brass music, having always wanted to learn, I found a way in as an adult when I joined a Drum and Brass group and it has taken me on quite a journey. I am also a published author and will soon be releasing a new novel all about how music has the power to bring communities together’
Hari Trivedi
Hari Trivedi is an internationally recognised tabla player, graphic designer, sound healer, and holistic practitioner whose work bridges the worlds of music, wellbeing, and cultural expression. A founding member of Drum and Brass, Hari has performed on stages across the UK, Europe, and beyond, collaborating with a wide variety of ensembles and musicians. His original music, released under the name Ishan-Sattva, has reached a global audience, blending Indian classical rhythms with contemporary genres to create immersive, meditative soundscapes.
Hari’s journey with music began in his early childhood, inspired by devotional hymns and rhythms at his local temple. From those formative experiences, he developed a lifelong commitment to exploring the power of sound, not only as an art form but as a tool for healing and transformation. Alongside his performing career, Hari works extensively in the holistic field as a sound healer, yoga practitioner, and therapist, creating spaces for emotional release, inner balance, and personal growth.
As an educator, Hari is passionate about inspiring others to embrace the versatility of tabla and take pride in cultural heritage. He encourages students to explore beyond traditional settings, from Indian classical to experimental collaborations, and to see music as a universal language that connects and heals. For Hari, music is not only about performance—it is a pathway to wellbeing, creativity, and shared humanity.
Sima Mistry
With 15 years experience working in education, I am an Artist, Community engagement advocate and I enjoy connecting people and creating safe spaces for growth.
Watching young people learn and thrive through music is one of my greatest joys. The idea of community music excites me—breaking down barriers and uniting people of all ages, races, and genders. There’s something magical about an ensemble coming together, breathing as one, and sharing a transformative experience. Music is all about connection, collaboration, and creativity, and I’m thrilled to be part of that journey.
Cath Gunapati
Cath is a Primary Music Specialist based in Cumbria, UK. She holds a Masters of Music in composition, a Bachelor of Music, and a PGCE in Primary Education from the University of Aberystwyth, Wales. With over 20 years’ experience teaching music internationally, she enjoys collaborating on curriculum development with colleagues.
Whilst teaching in Malaysia, Cath completed a TESOL Diploma from the London Teacher Training College and enjoyed working with children to develop their English language skills. She also became a certified music examiner for GUILD Australia after three years’ practical training and examined biannually for them in South East Asia from 2014-2021.
She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team and is dedicated to creating impactful and positive developments for young musicians on their musical journey.
Katy Wadkin
Bookkeeper for the group, Katy is the backbone of the organisation. Her keen eye for detail is key to our ethos of transparency and ethical practice.
Our Key Milestones
2013
Pianist Mark Polishook introduces local musicians Julie Hoggarth and Hari Trivedi. They bring their respective music groups together: Julie’s Magna Music Band and Hari’s tabla students – to perform an ambitious piece – Terry Riley’s innovative “In C”. It’s the start of a partnership which continues to traverse risky territory with endless creative optimism.
2015
Julie and Hari form Drum and Brass CIC – registered on November 5th – to bring communities together through music.
2015
Drum and Brass receives Arts Council England to commission 3 original community-inspired compositions. The “Drum and Brass” project brings together musicians from Indian European and South American traditions, experimental composers and community audiences (full performance). With it, Drum and Brass sets its intention to do music differently.
2016
The start of a 4-year creative residency in Leicester’s prisons which includes an active role in DMU’s annual “Talent Unlocked” Festival and this year our Summer Music Week for young musicians is held at Gorse Hill Community Farm with contributions from trumpet player Gareth John and Saxophonist Marcus Joseph.
2017
Drum and Brass gets into its stride, delivering music and arts workshops with partners FTM Dance, Vista, Woodgate Residents Association and pursuing cross-genre collaborations, e.g. as part of TEDxLeicester and with the City of Leicester Singers
In this year we also receive Arts Council England funding to produce “Woodgate – the Musical” Performed at the Attenborough Centre and Curve Theatre, all songs and music are composed by the young cast. The creative team includes Marcus Joseph, Josie Lewis and Helen Butterworth.
2018
Participatory music-making residency at Leicester’s iconic New Walk Museum “A Beat of Time” is also funded by Arts Council England.
2021
Hari Trivedi achieves a long-held ambition, winning heritage Lottery funding to explore the origins of Indian Classical music in his “Prabandh” project.
2015
Mini Music has given hundreds of new carers and babies the best possible chance of lifelong wellbeing. Drawing on the value of music to develop language and promote carer-child bonding, we are very proud of this group, initiated by Drum and Brass’s Davina Vencatisamy.
2016
The Woodgate Band is our first inclusive orchestra. We welcome everyone through the doors and explore inclusive practice such as working from graphical scores, playing by ear and creating parts to suit individual players.
2017
The Brass of the Saff is formed – a community band that breaks down many myths around brass bands and receives attention from across the band world. Relocation of band leader Julie to Cumbria in 2019 sees the band moving into the hands of the LeicesterShire Music Hub.
2020
The No Bars Orchestra is formed in Leicester and opens a new era of instrumental playing by young people in the city.
2021
Melody Makers beginner brass group begins in Cumbria during the lockdown. With the first sessions online with 4 players (see photo), in 2023 it’s going strong with 13 members and 3 volunteer leaders. It marks the start of “Brass in Eden” – Drum and Brass’s Cumbrian programme.
As Covid recedes – where is Drum and Brass?
We have long since recognised that music is barred to many people in the communities we live and work in because of social and cultural expectations relating to e.g. gender, race and disability.
Experience has shown us that while society still assumes that instrumental playing is only for the white, straight middle class – the membership of our groups tells a different story. Our players represent all of society – despite the many barriers to doing so.
So we have put removal of those barriers at the heart of our work. This involves speaking out for underrepresented groups nationally and in 2022 we make this official policy.
March 2022
The “Doing Music Differently” conference puts Drum and Brass at the centre of conversations about inclusion in music and sets the course for our future.
We develop partnerships with Leicestershire Music so we can offer affordable after-school music provision. SteamPunk project adds STEM skills to D+B offer.
Partnering with the forward-looking Leicester Symphony Orchestra opens direct links for learners to high-quality mentoring and performance opportunities and partnering with Woodgate means we have an accessible venue which is rooted in our community.
And in Cumbria, strong partnerships with local charity Kirkby Stephen Silver Band and arts organisation Blue Jam enable us to establish 2 after-school music groups and two further learning groups.
Community voice, long since standard practice – is now D+B policy and in November 2022 we make it official with our Youth Board.
And now:
The past 8 years have been a tapestry of intense learning and creative experiences. We’ve come from being artists running a company to being a company that employs artists. We’ve helped our communities to make positive changes and we have learned the value of communities to our own wellbeing. We’ve opened the doors to music-making a little bit wider.
So here’s to the next 8 years.
By 2030 we want to see UK’s bands, orchestras and ensembles looking a whole lot more like our No Bars Orchestra. It won’t happen overnight. There are many barriers to overcome but we are fully committed.