Accomplished with Robbert Vos
Post date: Nov 28, 2015 2:37:16 PM
The weekend of 24 Oct to 26 Oct had a programme packed with events. The emphasis was on learning, improving and bringing first class brass playing to people of all ages many of whom may never have heard brass playing of this calibre before.
After meeting the programme organisers, from St. David's Brass, over lunch, Dutch player, Robbert Vos, a Sterling Euphonium Artist, was launched into a whirlwind weekend.
A free workshop on Saturday afternoon kicked off the programme, with about twenty players of varying abilities, ages and from different bands, attending. Robbert led them through the essential basics of loosening up and various breathing exercises, all designed to give a solid foundation to build further techniques on.
The evening was taken up with individual tuition and a rehearsal with St. David's Brass, ready for the concert on Sunday. Robbert was ready for that extra hour when the clocks changed!
Sunday morning saw Robbert Vos, holding a workshop with Lasswade High School brass pupils, some of whom had never played in a brass band. This was followed by a rehearsal with Lasswade H.S. Concert Band, which included woodwind players and percussionists.
In the afternoon, there was a very successful joint Concert with Robbert Vos, St. David's Brass and Lasswade H.S. Concert Band, which was well attended by parents, families, local care homes and the general public, some traveling from the other side of the country to get the chance to hear Robbert play.
The programme included, Benedictus, the fabulous Hummingbrrd, Philip Sparke's Pantomime and Symphonic Rhapsody. There was great feedback from the audience afterwards with one carer adding "Can I just say what a great time we had at the concert. The residents loved the band and Robbert Vos."
Robbert then tutored St. David's Youth Band on Sunday evening, followed by more individual tuition on both Sunday and Monday night, rounding off a truly busy, interesting and enjoyable weekend which had something for everyone.
St. David's Brass Band would like to thank Sterling Instruments and the Scottish Brass Band Association for their support, enabling this accomplished weekend to happen.
