Downton Celebrates Grants for Youth
Published in Band News on 2015-07-23 by Empty Chairs
More news from Downton Band
Downton Band is celebrating following the award of a grant to kick start their training band project Bash & Blow. The traditional brass band, that has recently celebrated 140 years of music making, will be launching a training band in September to encourage young and old to take up brass and percussion instruments. And the band are delighted to learn that they were successful in applying for a grant of just over £6,500 from the People's Postcode Lottery Trust to help launch the new band.
Downton's Musical Director Paul Williams said "The money will go towards purchasing new instruments so that anyone interested in learning will be able to use a brand new shiny instrument come September."
Paul Williams added "The training band is open to anyone who wishes to come along and learn how to play an instrument. For just £1 a week you'll get expert tuition, a weekly rehearsal, plenty of performance opportunities and the loan of an instrument to take home to practice. We want to make access to music making open to everyone so there will also be a bursary available for those who genuinely can not afford the subscriptions."p>
A waiting list of eager training band participants is growing daily ahead of Bash & Blow's launch in September.
Downton Band is also searching for more cornet and tuba players to bolster the ranks of the senior band. Paul Williams added “The band has a busy and varied schedule of performances, good quality instruments ready and waiting and its own bandroom in the heart of our village. We’d be delighted to welcome anyone who perhaps wants to return to banding who wants to pick up a cornet or even a tuba again.”
If you would like more information on either the training or senior band please contact Paul Williams on paul@downtonband.org.uk