Meet the team
Drum and Brass is ... a unique combination of therapists, musicians, teachers and creative thinkers
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
Photo by Leicester Lo fi, courtesy of No Bars
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.
Hari Trivedi is a highly-accomplished tabla performer who teaches and performs with a wide variety of ensembles including Drum and Brass, of which he is a founder member and plays with Cosmopolitan, Ka Safar and Project Blackbird.
Photo by Leicester Lo fi, courtesy of No Bars
My father and my grandad were my role models in terms of music when I was growing up. There are no musicians in my family, just myself, but they loved music so I took inspiration from them. And at the temple there was a tabla player that I’d go and sit next to every time we went there. We’d go a few times a week, but every Saturday we’d have religious music, hymns and stuff. And I’d always go and sit next to him, from when I was about two or three. So I think the temple was a big inspiration for me to play music.
I think I have found my favourite kind of ensemble. The stuff that we did through Drum and Brass was really inspirational, but since then, Ka Safar is probably where I feel most at home, because we have all grown together as a band and we understand each other. We always have a good solid eight or nine players at a rehearsal. It’s quite experimental and adventurous.
I try and play with as many different artists as I can, a range of different things, keep it varied. That is still not the norm for tabla players. Many end up playing the same classical or semi-classical type music, just at the temple or the Gurdwara. They might hear something and realise, oh, I could play to this, but there is a fear sometimes of going outside your comfort zone, like oh, how do I play a 16 beat cycle to Julie on the trumpet? It’s a totally different mindset. And they struggle, because I’ve got some students that are at school, and they want to play but they’re sometimes shy of the instrument and that shouldn’t happen, you know, be proud of your heritage, what you’re playing really, regardless whether it’s Indian or whatever you’re playing.
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’
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 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.
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.