2103 Brass Band Summer School

The 29th Brass Band Summer School took place at Framlingham College from 11th – 17th August. Delegates from USA, Japan, The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland as well as from all over the UK descended on the picturesque Suffolk town for a wonderful week of holiday brass banding. The week was led by the BBSS Music Director the charismatic Richard Evans and the music team of Ian Porthouse and Brian Taylor (cornets), Owen Farr (horns), David Childs (euphoniums and baritones), Nick Hudson (trombones), Steve Sykes (basses) and Paul Lovatt-Cooper (percussion). There was also a visit from David Daws during the week who took sectional rehearsals and brass band personality David Read was this year’s guest speaker.

The delegates were thrilled that the newly appointed Brass Band Summer School President Bramwell Tovey took time out of his busy schedule to spend time at Framlingham. Bramwell conducted one of the summer school bands and improvised on piano. The summer school solo and ensemble evenings continue to be very popular and internationally renowned piano accompanist Alison Procter was again on hand to accompany. The Entertainment Contest which is now in its fifth year also proved yet again to be much enjoyed by all delegates. The music selected this year by maestro Richard Evans included Dances & Arias, Four Scottish Dances, Spectrum, The Plantagenets, Riverdance, Capriccio Italien and Hungarian March.

Plans are now in now in place for the 2014 Brass Band Summer School which will take place at Framlingham College from August 10th to August 16th to celebrate the 30th course. Richard Evans and the intentionally renowned music tutors will be joined by visiting clinicians including principals from the London Symphony Orchestra. Those interested in signing up for what will be a wonderful brass band celebration week should contact Philip Biggs on 01223 234090 or 07710 505689.