Brass Bands Wales forums proving to be great success

AFTER presenting a very successful online forum on the subject of Women in Brass Bands, Brass Bands Wales was greatly encouraged by the response to their Youth Development forum online, which took place recently.

There were 54 representatives from member bands and individual associates who heard some very interesting presentations from Angela Westacott of Rhondda Fach Youth Band, Chris Jeans of Youth Brass 2000 and Lee Rigg – musical director of Wardle Academy Youth Band.

The topics covered were setting up and then keeping the youth band going, safeguarding, child protection, the relationship with Music Services, marketing and resources and instrument requisition.

Andrew Jones, Chair Brass Bands Wales was delighted with the response and the cross section of interested parties such as individuals, bands, Heads of Music Services, National Youth Arts Wales and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Thanks to 4BarsRest for details. Entries to this year’s BBC Young Composer competition will be split into three categories – 1214 years; 15-16 years and 17-18 years.

Winners will participate in a development programme with a mentor composer, working on a project with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

This will culminate in a performance or broadcast opportunity.

Any genre instruments and any method of composing are welcome and the BBC is encouraging anyone who loves to create their own original music to enter – even if they don’t think of themselves as a composer.

Entries are judged anonymously and assessed on their compositional idea, creativity and originality.

Entries close at 5pm, Monday, June 28.

■ You can visit www.bbc.co.uk/ youngcomposer for more information.