Case Study – Music for Bedford Playing Day

ParticipantsBedford Music Hub, one secondary and two primary schools, Bedford Town Band.

Morning
Bollywood Brass Band (BBB) delivered an interactive performance to 90 Year 7 children and a feeder primary school.

AfternoonPerformance and workshop by BBB:

  • Interactive performance to all participants: talking about Bollywood, describing the instruments and showing a Bollywood clip.
  • Workshop with First Access beginner brass: 70 children from Years 3 & 4 participated on trumpets, trombones and euphoniums; the children knew c 4 notes.
  • Pre-visit: children had been practising the three note version of Yeh Dosti (with backing track) with their brass teacher since a BBB pre-visit a few weeks earlier (by ear, no notation).

Evening concert
Separate performances from BBB, Bedford Town Band and from each First Access school group.

Finale: BBB and First Access groups played Chale Chalo together, BBB and Town Band played Rang de Basanti together, to finish all participants played Yeh Dosti together.

Feedback“It was a fantastic day. Thanks to you and to the band for all they did to enthuse and entertain the children.” David Rose, Head of Music Hub

‘I’ve never seen a real band before, in front of me!’ Year 4 participant

“I am emailing to give my congratulations to a fantastic performance that you did this week with my Lakeview School Year 3 Class. They absolutely enjoyed it and your solo performance was amazing.” Teacher

“Fab! What a great experience” Bedford Town Band member

Questionnaire to First Access children:Would you like to carry on with your instrument next year?

Yes! 88%   Not really 5%   No 7%