Participants
Bedford 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.
Afternoon
Performance 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%