Our famous Development Programme is finally ready to tour England once again! Workshops will include, amongst others, Player Development and Artistic Development. Workshop leaders will include Philip Harper and Roger Webster. The new weekend format will allow delegates to pick and choose from what’s on offer, attending multiple workshops you wish to do so. Online training will also continue, with a range of autumn development webinars lined up for booking.
BBE’s Education and Development Manager, Sarah Baumann, commented: “After a long wait, we are incredibly excited to be taking our workshop sessions back out on the road. Although we’re looking forward to seeing BBE members in person again, we will still be continuing to deliver much of our training online, continuing our Webinar programme across the next year and making sure our team is available for regular Zoom drop-in sessions on a range of topics.”
Starting off in Cornwall, events will travel around the country throughout the coming year. Dates are currently confirmed until the end of 2021, with 2022 events and locations to be announced in the coming months.
Our first Development weekend will be taking place in Cornwall on 6 - 7 November:
Player Development with Roger Webster
Saturday 6 November - 10:00 - 16:00 | Bodmin, Cornwall
This informative workshop day led by performance expert Dr Roger Webster looks to improve the quality of your playing, and therefore improve the overall quality of your band performance.
The Player Development workshops offer excellent value for money and a worthwhile networking opportunity with bands in the local area. Dr Webster focuses on the essentials of brass playing, exploring practical exercises to improve individual playing standards and thus contributing to overall improvements in bands’ performances. The afternoon focus is on mental and physiology aspects of efficient practice and performance methods.
Roger commented: "BBE has taken the initiative to run a varied programme of workshops for our brass bands. Players, teachers and conductors — please come along and take part! Ask those awkward questions and help move our bands back to their place at the forefront of the banding world!"
Artistic Development with Philip Harper
Sunday 7 November - 10:00 - 16:00 | St Austell, Cornwall
This practical workshop day, led by Cory Band conductor Philip Harper, looks to demystify the important subject of Artistic Direction.
The Artistic Development workshops offer excellent value for money and a worthwhile networking opportunity with bands in the local area. In these sessions, Philip Harper breaks down what it means to be an Artistic Director, exploring concert planning, collaboration, audience development and the nuts and bolts of running a successful rehearsal.
Speaking about the workshop days, Philip said: “In my 20 years developing as a band conductor, I have often thought deeply about what it is exactly I am trying to achieve - the essence of my art. When BBE asked me to take a national lead on this very topic I was very excited to have the chance to share my experience in a way which could potentially benefit all levels of banding. I'm very much looking forward to meeting a wide spectrum of many like-minded people across the country in these workshops, which I hope will be inspirational to all”.
Philip will discuss the importance to artistic leaders of self-learning, curious listening and wild imagination, as well as covering the basics of 'on the ground' artistic direction as a conductor working with bands in rehearsals. Each topic will be illustrated with practical examples, including a live rehearsal session with a band.
For our full list of events please visit the BBE Events page