Brass Band of Battle Creek continued its preparation for its Spring Concert at the W.K. Kellogg Auditorium this weekend with an education outreach concert for over 800 local school children.

It formed part of an initiative with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation that has secured initial funding of $250,0000 over two years, but hopes to expand into a multi million dollar development programme that will enable youngsters throughout the Battle Creek Elementary School system and wider Calhoun County area in south west Michigan to gain comprehensive access to music making.

Beacon of inspiration

The school system has suffered greatly with funding issues over the past decade or so, but it is hoped that with the organisation of the band being moved to the W.K. Kellogg Auditorium, and with the band itself being used as a beacon of inspiration, future generations of youngsters will gain a lifelong love of music making and brass banding in particular, from individual instruction programmes to band camps and concerts.

It is an ambitious project, but one that has been formulated in huge detail — with six initial outcomes agreed for the two year period, which includes the aim of a 20% increase in its youth summer camp participation and closer working with schools.

Brilliantly harnessed

Spearheaded by Education Director, Jerry Rose, the first step was taken with the school concert on Friday morning — with the excitement and energy of the youngsters harnesed brilliantly by conductor Michael J Garasi who introduced them through the 'orchestra' of the brass band with cameo solos by the star players.

"This is part of the huge plans we have for the band," Jerry told 4BR. "The ethos is to mentor and inspire young people to become productive adults by sharing the joy of music, and I think that was shown this morning. We will build on this to remove all barriers for participation — especially those based on race, gender, culture and socio-economic disadvantages."

The ethos is to mentor and inspire young people to become productive adults by sharing the joy of music, and I think that was shown this morningJerry Rose, Education Director

Jaws to Tchaikovsky

The concert featured music from 'Slava' to 'Jaws' — complete with audience participation 'screams' as the shark prepared to bite, all rounded off with the Imperial March from 'Star Wars', which brought an audible sense of recognition. There was also a fantastic xylophone soloist John Beck playing 'Back Talk' on a vintage 1926 instrument and the incredible sounds of pianist Wei Luo playing the first movement of the Tchaikovsky 'Piano Concerto No 1' with brass band accompaniment.

After the end of the 45 minute concert the children all jumped up and gave the band a standing ovation — testament to Brass Band of Battle Creek being great entertainers, performers and musical communicators.