Activities ‘for the wealthier’
A NEW Social Mobility Commission study at the University of Bath has found that children from low income families are three times less likely than wealthier families to engage in out of school activities such as learning a musical instrument, joining a choir or even getting into a football team (with 32% to 11% participating in such activities).
Speaking about the findings, Dame Martina Milburn, chairwoman of the Social Mobility Commission, said: “It is shocking that so many from poorer backgrounds never get the chance to join a team, learn to dance or play music.
“The activity costs too much, it isn’t available or people just feel they won’t fit in.
“As a result they miss out on important benefits, a sense of belonging, increased confidence and social skills which are invaluable to employers. It is high time to level the playing field.”
Barbara Ellen, of the Observer newspaper, added that if this pattern continued, the result would be “full blown structural elitism; one set of kids grows and thrives, the other is diverted on to a culturally sterile treadmill they could stay on for life.” CORY Band, the current European, British Open, Brass in concert and BrassPassUK Band of the Year champions, has just recruited two new additions to the band – Owain Llestyn on cornet and Emily Quick percussion.
Owain is 18 years old and is the Principal Cornet of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales.
He began his playing with the Llanrug Band in North Wales 10 years ago before moving to Championship Section Northop Band on Principal Cornet at the age of 16 in 2017 and more recently became a member of the Fairey Band.
Owain was the Principal Cornet of the European Youth Brass Band in Montreux in 2019 and is the current North Wales Over18 Solo Champion.
He is about to commence studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Dance.
Emily is 19 years old and is the Principal Percussionist of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.
She hails from Devon and started playing with Hatherleigh Town Band before moving to Bodmin Town Band in 2013 and for the last 12 months has been with the Flowers Band, Gloucester. Emily is a student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff.
The pair of them will make their contesting debut with Cory at the British Open in Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on Saturday, September 8.
Cory musical director Philip Harper said: “It’s great to welcome two major talents of the younger generation and I’m sure both Owain and Emily have a very bright future ahead of them with Cory Band.” National Eisteddfod 2019 Results
1st Seindorf Beaumaris (Scott Lloyd) 2nd Porthaethwy Menai Bridge(Patrick Rimes); 3rd Llandudno(Andrew Jones).
Section 3: 1st RAF St Athan (Alan Bourne).
Section 2: 1st Crwbin (Andrew Jones); RAF St Athan(Alan Bourne).
Championship/Section 1 Combined: 1st Llwydcoed (Christopher Turner); 2nd Northop (John Doyle); 3rd Deiniolen (Lois Eifion).