Ten years of musical inspiration, friendship and development were celebrated in Denmark recently, as over 100 young musicians gathered for the 10th anniversary of the Hinnerup Gardens Summer School.

The event was marked by a specially commissioned work, 'The Rising Stars' by Jacob Vilhelm Larsen as well as a catchy new pop song by composer Mathias Snejbjerg.

What began a decade ago as an idea to create an inspiring musical environment for young players has developed into an important annual gathering of young Danish musicians.

Hansen heart

At the heart of its success has been Anne Mette Hansen, a brass player with The Prince's Band of the Royal Danish Army (Prinsens Musikkorps).

Her vision to create a summer school where young musicians could experience the joy and excitement of making music together while receiving tuition and inspiration of the highest professional standard has now become a model widely acclaimed in Denmark and beyond.

The mix of serious music making and inclusive social interaction is an ethos that has seen countless friendships formed and musical ambition ignited.

Three levels

This year the participants were divided into three different levels, enabling them to be challenged appropriately.

Following days of rehearsals, sectional tuition and ensemble work, each delivered performances of an impressively high standard in the end of course concert, where a small group also recorded Mathias Snejbjerg's pop song and the massed band performed 'The Rising Stars'.

This was another major milestone for this inspirational Summer Course — one that continues to promote the achievements and aspirations of these rising starsspokesperson

Major milestone

A spokesperson told 4BR: "This was another major milestone for this inspirational Summer Course — one that continues to promote the achievements and aspirations of these rising stars. These are all young musicians discovering what they are capable of when given encouragement, opportunity and something worthwhile to strive for.

It was also a powerful reflection of what Anne Mette Hansen's original idea has become."