As of September 2025, we can now provide brass tuition to two groups from our very own bandhall located at Bransons Lane in Towcester.

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Beginners Band

​​​Towcester Studio Band’s beginners’ group started receiving tuition in September 2024. 

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Our tutor, Dai Rose, is very experienced and worked his whole career in education - in primary schools for 25 years as a teacher and headteacher before becoming Head of Milton Keynes Music Service (for 10 years) and then Head of Music for Bedford Borough for 5 years before retiring in 2021.

 

Our first cohort of players comprised of 14 children with 2 parents also learning. 

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Open to beginners of all ages, they follow our 2-stage ‘Learn to Play Brass’ programme which covers the basics of brass

playing as well as musicianship and theory.

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​New groups start each September, and the lessons, instruments, music and uniform are provided free of charge

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Sessions are weekly, term-time only and are 45 minutes in length. There is a mix of playing and musical games. Members are expected to practice in between the session to make good progress.

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There are opportunities for public performance and one of the highlights is their performance of ‘The Star That Shone’ accompanied by the Senior Band at our Christmas Concert.

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At the end of each stage everyone graduates and either get a certificate of participation or, if they like a challenge, can take an informal assessment and gain a PASS, MERIT or DISTINCTION certificate. We usually celebrate each graduation with a party, complete with food and drink!

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Development Band

​Members usually progress to the Development Band (lead by David Healey) after a year where they continue Stage 2 of our programme but also play brass band music which develops their ensemble skills. It is at this point that we recommend brass lessons either at school or what NMPAT and, if possible, to get their own instrument.

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There are opportunities for public performance and at some point members who show a particular aptitude and interest may be invited to sit in with the Senior Band to encourage them further.​​​​​​​​​

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Both Dai and David are supported by Towcester Studio Band volunteers, who attend the rehearsals and many of the parents also stay and observe the lessons – which are great fun.

 

All costs of these lessons are covered by Towcester Studio Band, which is grateful to Arts Council England for providing the initial starting instruments as part of the Have A Blast in Towcester (HaBIT) project in 2023/24.  We also thank West Northamptonshire Council, Tesco’s Stronger Starts and Friends of Towcester Studio Band (FrOTS) for their financial support.