Whether you’re about to resume rehearsal after the summer break, restart teaching, or it’s back to school with your youth band - our handy guide can help you get ready for action this coming term.
The start of term is not far away but there’s still time to complete our top five things to do to get you back in the swing of banding.
1. Building back to band
Time to rewatch our Player Development webinar with soloist, chamber musician, and educator Les Neish, which focuses on building up playing ability after a break. While you’re there, why not check out the rest of our webinar series with recordings of sessions with top players such as Allen Vizzutti, Louis Dowdeswell, and Sheona White? Visit the BBE Member Resources Library to access the full range of recordings and resources.
2. Let people know your plans
You’ll no doubt be focused on your band's programme of events up until Christmas, so now is the perfect time to make sure that everyone else knows what’s happening too. BBE members can promote their events for free. Just visit your Member Dashboard and go to ‘Add Event’. Don't forget to tag Brass Bands England on social media too!
3. Find events and training to match your interest
We recently announced a varied programme of events and webinars for this autumn, now open for booking. These include a virtual drop-in focused on important safeguarding essentials, the Brass Foundations led skill-share session on first steps for beginner brass bands, and much more. Non-members can attend most events for a small fee. Browse the full autumn events programme on the BBE events page.
4. Start planning your next project
Always had an idea for a project for your band? Perhaps you’d like to commission a work from a young composer, take your band into schools, or reach new audiences in your local community? The Norman Jones Trust is open to applications from BBE members to help you achieve your goal, whilst the BBE Fundraising Service can provide direct support writing your grant applications. Time to make those plans a reality!
5. Attend the biggest band networking event this season
Don’t miss out on the Brass Band Conference, which returns as a hybrid event on Saturday 22 October in Sale, Greater Manchester. In addition to being the perfect opportunity to network with banders from across the country, the day will be packed full of exciting and high-quality workshops and presentations on the important theme of ‘Banding for Life’. Open to both BBE members and non-members, and with the option to book a Virtual Pass, it’s the biggest learning and sharing event in the brass banding calendar, so make sure you’re there!
Not a member yet? Find our more about BBE membership now.