Towards Inclusive, Sustainable, Community-Driven Brass Banding
- Meeting 1: Building the Triangle
- Meeting 2: Inclusive Teaching
- Meeting 3: Growing Musicians
- Meeting 4: Community, Culture and Audience
Schools,Community Organisations, Bands and Families
Saturday 16th August 2025
Focus: Strengthening partnerships between schools, training bands, and families
Workshop Topics:
- Engaging families: what works?
- How to build and sustain school partnerships
- Using concerts/events to bring in families
Actions:
- Create a practical checklist for running a taster-to-bandroom pathway
- Set up a family ambassador pilot programme
- Gather and share successful school partnership case studies
Training Bands, Tools and Accessibility
Saturday 15th November 2025
Focus: Making beginner brass playing truly accessible and inclusive
Workshop Topics:
- Customising learning materials (MuseScore, adaptive instruments)
- Setting up and running accessible training bands
- Peer mentoring and youth leadership
Actions:
- Share accessible resources via Cumbria Brass Network
- Create a “starter pack” for bands looking to run inclusive training groups
- Set up a materials/resource swap scheme
Progression Routes and Advanced Opportunities
Saturday 21st February 2026
Focus: Supporting intermediate and advanced players in rural areas
Workshop Topics:
- How to motivate and stretch players post-beginner
- Building performance opportunities for intermediate/advanced musicians
- How to tap into online learning and mentorship when in rural areas
Actions:
- Map current progression routes in Cumbria
- Identify regional/national masterclasses and create local access bursaries
- Share tutor directory with contact update form
Saturday May 23rd 2026
Making Brass Bands Visible and Valuable
Focus: Embedding bands into local culture and widening participation
Workshop Topics:
- Designing inclusive and exciting community events
- Breaking down elitism: reframing brass bands as welcoming spaces
- Recruiting volunteers and engaging local businesses
Actions:
- Plan a 2026 Cumbria Brass Community Showcase tour
- Develop media content to promote bands via local radio/socials
- Create a Cumbria Brass “Open Rehearsal Week” pack for bands