The Brass Academy
The Brass Academy runs music courses of exceptional quality for brass players aged 8-18. The courses are suitable for those of Grade 1 to Grade 8 standard and beyond. Their Summer Course includes The Workshop, an advanced an intensive course-within-a-course designed to stretch and challenge those of Grade 8+ standard; and our Easter Course includes the Percussion Studio, a specialist percussion course for those of Grade 2 to Grade 8 and beyond, run by Kevin Hathway, Head of Brass, Percussion, Harp and Voice at The Purcell School.
The courses can be attended on a daily or residential basis, and each afternoon there is a break from the music for a two hour sport and activity session. There are daily small ensembles (graded by ability), masterclasses for individual instruments, a course competition; tutor demonstrations, and for the last half hour of each day, a large ensemble session. Because the courses are solely for brass players, they can focus on the particular requirements of brass players – and the participants get to play a great deal more than they might on an orchestral course – no endless counting of rests here! For those staying on a residential basis, there is a fun and varied programme of evening activities.
The tutors include Mark David, Artistic Director and Head of Brass at the Royal Academy of Music; Philippe Schartz, international soloist and Principal Trumpet with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales; Christian Jones, Principal Bass Trombone with Opera North; Simon Morgan, Principal Horn at the Lion King in London; and Pete Smith, Principal Tuba with the Philharmonia Orchestra.
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