View Full Version : Brass Project September 2007
As a change from the inevitable keyboards and in an effort to increase the numbers and level of achievement from pupils playing brass instruments at the secondary school where I am Head of Music I am planning to teach all my new Yr7 pupils the basics of notation, pitch rhythm etc through the medium of brass! (cornet/trumpet/flugel).
Between September and November each pupil will work with music staff and older pupils in lessons to prepare a for a concert performance in November at which the 4 forms (120 kids) will play a simple short piece.
With a large number of high achieving pupils and a number of brass specialists on the staff we hope that a good proportion of the 120 pupils who go through this project will suprise themselves and choose to continue playing with our school brass peri and then work their way up into school and local bands.
This is a big project and we face many challenges but our initial goal is to find 25 reasonable Bb high pitched instruments. We've had no joy from North Yorkshire County Music Service and have contacted the local brass band.
We have already got up to 12 good instruments but we need at least another 13 to rent, borrow or find through sponsorship for a 3 month period in September. Behaviour is not a big problem at Ripon Grammar School so the instruments will be well looked after and if the project works we will make it an annual event and buy the instruments we require for the future.
If anyone has any helpful suggestions please get in touch and I will keep you posted on our progress.
Ratpit
Fantastic! I am about to start a similar project in Kent. I will be putting out lots of calls and favours, so maybe we can link ideas and possible rersources. Good look - the more people prepared to push these projects on the better.
That sounds like such a good idea! I've been thinking about doing something similar but not on such a large scale. Keep us all posted with how it goes, should be really interesting!
How about we all make sure that we link these projects in terms of profile? You never know, somebody might give us instruments / publicity / support / money!
School exchanges could be fun as well!
Thats an excellent idea!!!
We have a Bb bass in our music cupboard at school - I've got no idea where it came from but I'd love for a student to take it up! We've got a few instruments in the cupboard at school - euph, couple of horns, cornet (which is being used) trombone, but i'd really like to encourage students to use the larger brass instruments. Could do with a bit of lower range in my jazz band!
TopTrump
06.06.2007, 12:19
How about we all make sure that we link these projects in terms of profile? You never know, somebody might give us instruments / publicity / support / money!
School exchanges could be fun as well!
I dont know Andrew (Texus). Always on the scrounge!!! Some things never change. Does sound like a good idea though!! :clap:
Max
School exchanges could be fun as well!
can i exchange my school for one with specialist arts status please ;)
Just got a huge job as Director of Specialist Status. Trust me here, after the initial hangover ( still lingering) goes away, the pressure starts! 9 major shows a year!!!!!!!
Give me your instruments please!
Max - fancy a "planning trip" out in Cardiff?
Just got a huge job as Director of Specialist Status. Trust me here, after the initial hangover ( still lingering) goes away, the pressure starts! 9 major shows a year!!!!!!!
congratulations!!! :clap:
How about we all make sure that we link these projects in terms of profile? You never know, somebody might give us instruments / publicity / support / money!
School exchanges could be fun as well!
Definately!! Any funding ideas are always good and exchanges could be fun!
Bass Trumpet
06.06.2007, 16:37
Sounds an interesting, if a little tiring project! I'm sure that you have done your homework on this subject, but if you are in need of any more advice and tips, try having a chat with Matthew Gunn, head of service for the Cambridgeshire Instrumental Music Agency. They have been at the forefront of the 'wider opportunities' idea and have been offering class based instrumental teaching for some time now.
Best of luck - make sure you have plenty of aspirin at the ready!:hammer
Bass Trumpet
06.06.2007, 16:39
This is a big project and we face many challenges but our initial goal is to find 25 reasonable Bb high pitched instruments. We've had no joy from North Yorkshire County Music Service and have contacted the local brass band.
You don't really mean high pitch, do you?
You don't really mean high pitch, do you?
No not old high pitched instruments
I just want all the instruments to be playing at the same octave!
A double b sat next to a trumpet will only make things more complicated
Got up to 21 instruments for September now sothings are looking good!
Bass Trumpet
16.07.2007, 20:43
Great news. Best of luck with the project. Please keep us informed on how you get on
:clap:
What a shame that you had no joy from the local music service. The music service that I work for does a wider opportunities "whole class brass" project and provides all the instruments to the schools who take it on. I *think* we also offer to teach the teachers the scheme so they can deliver it to mass classes after we have "gone"
Good luck with it!
Summer Hols have arrived for music teachers!!!! Yippeeeeee
Got enough instuments to run the project
none from music centre
none from local brass bands
but had a lot of help from Stuart at Woodwind Exchange in Bradford. Anyone from ooop north will know the shop under what was Woods in Bradford on the street with the scantilly clad ladies!!!
Will keep you posted
about the project not the ladies!
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