THERE are smiles all round as Shirley Band and Warwick University Brass Society have joined forces.
The students have been taking part in rehearsals and they performed a joint Christmas Concert as the bands hope to boost their skills and musicianship.
Emily Fawthrop, Warwick University Brass Society president, recently became the Shirley Band’s Solo Tenor Horn, making her contest debut on Red Priest at the Midlands Area Contest.
The Warwick University Brass Society has a well-respected 30-year history in nurturing and developing young brass players, during the period of their studies.
It is hoped that the wider brass band community will also benefit in that when the students leave university, they will join a brass band and continue their playing career.
The Shirley Band’s musical director, Tom Stoneman, said: “I’m really happy to be developing the link between the University and the Shirley Band.
“The players have enjoyed experiencing banding off-campus and hopefully we can encourage as many students as we can to take it up, alongside, and after their studies.
“As a community, we need to support music making across the board as it is something that can bring people together from all walks of life; a 20-year old maths student and someone who’s been a bander for 60 years will always be able to share a passion when there’s the opportunity to sit in the same room and make music.”
