Norman Jones Legacy lives on

Published in General on 2013-07-18 by Empty Chairs

More news from Brass Bands England

Brass Bands England this week shine a spotlight on the brass projects which received the latest round of awards to bands from the Norman Jones Trust Fund.

Norman Jones was the secretary of the Brass Bands England in its former incarnation, the British Federation of Brass Bands (BFBB), for many years. He worked tirelessly for the organisation and for brass banding in general. Mr Jones kindly bequeathed to Brass Bands England funds in order to create the Norman Jones Trust Fund, which to this day donates awards to bands four times each year, and to which any BBE member band may apply.

The lucky recipients of this latest funding round all happen to have a youth focus – and are all creative projects seeking to move banding into the future.

Shepway Brass Academy is a project to offer music for young people in the Shepway area of Kent, and will receive £1,500. They are running their project in conjunction with partners including Kent Soundhub, who have also generously awarded funds to support the programme. The idea builds on the free tuition children receive for one year, and offers further free music tuition so that children are encouraged to continue playing – whatever their family’s financial situation.

The new training programme, of which the Norman Jones Trust and Kent Soundhub awards are a part, will provide opportunities for up to 90 local children to play a brass instrument, to join a community brass band and to perform at various events. The Academy will encourage new players with an imaginative and inspirational programme. The initial 3 year project will also offer young players the chance to progress through ABRSM Grade system.

City of Birmingham Brass Band have welcomed funding to support their young film makers competition.  This imaginative venture is part of the band’s Silent Movies concert on October 5^th – the winning films being accompanied by the band performing the filmmaker’s chosen track. There is a special under-16’s category to attract young filmmakers in particular – a multi-art focus. The band were awarded £1000 towards running costs and to sponsor the Judges Selection.

Wychavon Festival of Brass takes place this year on the 14th & 15th Sept. A positive and descriptive application by Dr Val Trim led to an award of £750 to support the Young Composer Event and other costs. Wychavon’s sister event, Pershore Midsummer Brass Festival , which was held this year on July 6^th, put £1350 to good use for the grand marquee and in sponsoring the youth event, which was new for 2013.

Rachel Veitch-Straw, speaking for Brass Bands England, told Empty Chairs: “We are enormously proud to be able to offer direct support to bands in this way. We are encouraging all our member bands to apply to the Norman Jones Trust fund – a wonderful legacy. Any interested bands should contact me directly via Rachel@brassbandsengland.co.uk"