The first year of the 'Young Middle Brass' scheme at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester has been hailed as a great success, with almost 70 young tenor horn, baritone and euphonium players taking part in six workshops during the past year.

Extra instruments and dates

And due to the demand the scheme will also be available for flugel horn players for the forthcoming 2019-20 season which will take place on the following dates.

Sunday 22nd September
Sunday 17th November
Sunday 19th January 2020
Sunday 15th March
Sunday 31st May
Sunday 19th July

The events are run by Junior RNCM tutors Helen Varley, solo horn of Grimethorpe Colliery Band and Mark Bousie, euphonium at Foden's Band, along with guest tutors.

Guest tutors in the past year have included Rachel Neil and Adam Bokaria (Fairey Band), Dan Thomas (Black Dyke) and Peter McDonough. The new season will also see 'Young Tuba' sessions which is run by Les Neish.

We've also covered loads of great music, and we'll be making sure this year's workshops are even more fun and inclusive

Delighted at success

Organisers Helen and Mark told 4BR: "We were delighted with the success of the workshops, and we have had so much fun this year with youngsters travelling from as far afield as Scotland and London.

We've also covered loads of great music, and we'll be making sure this year's workshops are even more fun and inclusive."

The free workshops are based at the RNCM and are split up into groups for different capabilities to cater for different abilities and ages, ranging from beginner up to pre-college age.

Attendance at all events is encouraged but not compulsory.

Further information

For further information, go to: www.rncm.ac.uk/youngmiddlebrass or contact Bryony Taylor, Music Education Administrator, at bryony.taylor@rncm.ac.uk to book your place.

Further information about the Young Tubas run by Les Neish can also be found at: www.rncm.ac.uk/youngtubas