*
banner

Media boost for Proms in the Playground

Brass Bands England's school initiative gains a great boost of media coverage.

BBE Proms
  The initiative has gained a great media response

Brass Bands England's 'Proms in the Playground' initiative has already proven to be a great success.

Running from the 5th — 23rd July it has given many schools the opportunity to round off the school year on a positive note with many media outlets already picking up on some great news stories to shine a positive light on brass bands and youth music activity.

Inspire children

The initiative aims to inspire children to begin playing a brass instrument, and to support bands by finding the next generation of musicians.

The BBC Radio 4 'World at One' news programme featured music from a Kearsley Youth Band 'Proms in the Playground' performance in Bolton, along with an interview with BBE Brass Foundations Youth Specialist Helen Minshall.

Lasting memories

Presenter Jonny Dymond was certainly impressed, telling listeners that; "For many kids last year the end of school was a pretty miserable affair, devoid of the kind of events that might make for lasting memories. This year it will be very different."

In response Helen said: "There's nothing like a brass band. It was like Glastonbury this morning at our first school. The children were all on the field, and they got up to dance at one point! They all came out in their separate bubbles and were all able to join the show together."

The initiative has also featured in publications including the iNews paper and School House magazine, with iNews journalist, Will Hazell, writing: "With the coronavirus, music rooms and performance spaces have been eerily silent, hushed by social distancing restrictions.

But the silence is finally coming to an end. Communities across the country will explode into glorious sound emanating from some unconventional concert venues — our school playgrounds."

For many kids last year the end of school was a pretty miserable affair, devoid of the kind of events that might make for lasting memories. This year it will be very differentBBC Radio 4

More to come

Brass Bands England hopes that up to 100 performances will take place overall, with thousands of children, many who haven't played before, benefiting from the chance to experience a live musical performance.

One school is Cherry Tree Primary in Watford, where the school's Deputy Head Emma Hill said Covid has denied children many of the communal experiences that normally punctuate the year.

"We haven't even been able to have assemblies, which would be when you come together as a community… children haven't been able to go on school trips, which is really sad", she said.

"Proms in the Playground will provide the school with our one 'big event' that we'll have this year."

Brass Bands England now hopes to run the initiative again in July 2022.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Fodens

Foden's regional reach out for 2026

September 17 • If you want some of the Foden's Area Championship winning formula to rub off on you, then why not sign up for some early test-piece prep.


Brighouse

Brighouse principal is lead off for Banding Together

September 17 • In a new PR profile initiative for the event, Tom Smith talks about his link to the National Championships at the Royal Albert Hall.


Norway

Concerto test for Norwegian elite

September 17 • Flavours of Rumba, Ravel and riotous ostriches courtesy of Derek Bourgeois will test the Elite Division contenders at the 2026 Norwegian National Championships.


National Championships

2026 Regional Championship test-piece announced

September 17 • Works by Martin Ellerby, Andrew Wainwright, Philip Harper, Gordon Langford and Eric Ball will test bands in their qualification bids for the Albert Hall and Cheltenham next year.


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Haverhill Silver Band

September 17 • Haverhill Silver Band (Championship Section) seeks a FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the L&SC area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond.


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Chris King

MBA, BMus(Hons), LRSM, AoBBA
Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator, Compere, Band Trainer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd