e strategiessIn the Cumbria Brass Network meeting on February 15th, band players came together to duscuss player support.
This conversation is ongoing. Take part by completing our survey:
Training Bands and Boot Camps
For those new to brass playing, structured support is essential. Egremont is one band that provides a Training Band Beginner Pack —a resource offering basic skills support to new players. Whitehaven is operating a ‘boot camp’ approach for its adult beginners, focusing on e.g. rhythm and tone. These sessions take place in small groups at players’ homes, which is a great way, especially with adult beginners, to generate a supportive and focused learning community. Tebay’s Melody Makers and T-Brass band offer a range of progression programmes for their young players with a badge system and structured performance opportunities.
Accessibility and Custom Learning Materials
Music accessibility was another major point of discussion. As we open the doors to band wider we learn to adapt sometimes age-old practices. A lot of band pieces are written in small fonts and not only sight-impaired players find this a challenge. Enlarged music scores are increasingly sought. Simple or bespoke arrangements have been a staple of band management for decades and thankfully free software such as MuseScore provides a way to produce readable flexible parts that ensure that all members of a band, regardless of ability or learning needs, can fully participate.
It’s worth mentioning that Drum and Brass has secured funding precisely to meet these needs and are able to explore different ways of supoorting players. (Anyone wishing to know more about funding for bands is welcome to contact me at julie@drumandbrass.co.uk.)
All those present acknowledged the sheer amount of time they invest in producing these resources. Sharing them, where appropriate, might possibly reduce workload. It was also noted that Brass Bands England’s Brass Foundations team may be able to help.
Opportunities for Experienced Players
While beginner support is crucial, there is also a call for development opportunities for experienced players beyond just finding a tutor. Many players are looking for ways to improve and challenge themselves, but the shortage of brass teachers in the area presents a barrier. The directory of music teachers and bands on the Drum and Brass website (see Cumbria Brass Network) was mentioned as a valuable resource, although a more effective update service is are needed.
Skill Sharing and Community Engagement
A key takeaway from the conversation was the willingness of musicians, both young and old, to share their skills. Encouraging bands to share their teaching methods, concert schedules, and workshops would strengthen the brass band community. This could be facilitated through the Cumbria Brass Facebook group, where bands can post details of upcoming performances and initiatives.
Workshop Accessibility and Expanding Learning Opportunities
A recent brass day at Barrow attracted great feedback. Accessing events like this, and the Higham Hall Brass Weekend can be difficult for some players, and there is an appetite for more local brass workshops. Exploring venues and partnerships could help create new opportunities for learning and performance for players at all levels, ensuring that all Cumbria Brass players can benefit from high-quality instruction and ensemble experiences.
Next Steps
To build on these discussions, we agreed to:
- Share the teacher directory sign-up details to improve accessibility to tutors.
- Update Whitehaven’s directory details.
- Invite bands to share concert information and teaching initiatives via social media.
- Explore potential venues and partners for future brass workshops.
This conversation was an important step in our collaboration. Serious work is taking place to increase accessibility and support players at every level. The effect is to strengthen our brass band community and ensure its continued growth. We will keep the conversation going and work together to promote the invaluable work that brass banjds do for our communities and our region.