Brass Band Conference 2022 a success
Last weekend saw the return of The Brass Band Conference as an in-person event, providing the opportunity for banders from across the country to learn, share, and network. After going online during the pandemic, the annual conference has now established itself as a hybrid event, with the additional option of joining online in order to maintain access for as many people as possible.
The day saw a range of delegates attend as well as journalists from 4barsrest, British Bandsman, and Brass Band World (joining virtually).
"We're not lying when we say that this [banding] changes lives."
Soloist, pedagogue, and former brass bander Ian Bousfield opened the event with a thought-provoking Keynote Speech on the day’s theme of Banding for Life. As well advocating passionately for youth provision, Ian touched on a range of subjects including repertoire, community, and maintaining relevance within society.
Another highlight of the day was the presentation of the Brass Bands England Awards 2022 to a group of deserving winners.
Throughout the day, conference organisers Brass Bands England gave a number of updates and announcements including a new Members Working Group for the banding sector and continued #BrassBandsAtChristmas Crowdfunder campaign, both currently open for individuals and bands to participate in.
Event feedback
BBE reports that 100% of delegates who completed the feedback survey said that they went away with specific ideas and actions they will take to their band. They hope that the sharing of ideas and inspiration will continue via future events, and within the Brass Bands England Facebook Group, which anyone can join. If you attended the event and haven’t provided feedback yet, you can do so via the Conference feedback form.
Recordings and resources
Resources from the event are already available in the Brass Bands England Member Resources library, recordings of sessions that took place in the main hall will be added in November. Bands and individuals can find out more about joining Brass Bands England on their website.
Conference 2023
BBE confirmed that next year's conference will take place at The University of Huddersfield on Saturday 7 October 2023 on the theme of ‘Heritage and Innovation’. To be kept up to date on when sales open please register for BBE news.
Thoughts
The Bandsman attended the conference and the whole day was inspirational from start to finish. The opening speech from Ian Bousefield was a great start, so good to hear someone talking so passionately about Brass Bands. The Bandsman attended the talks on teaching deaf children and the essentials of understanding and diversifying your audience. Both were very professionally presented and were inspiring in their own way, Sean Chandlers talk on teaching deaf children had everything, it was educational and presented so well, the stories and videos that accompanied it were eye opening and everyone who attended came away wanting to find out more on this subject.
Pamela Johnson was talking after the lunch break in the main hall on the subject of understanding and diversifying your audience, she showed a great breakdown of how a typical audience is made up and what bands can do to encourage different 'types' of audience. Some brilliant ideas and we came away from the talk with plenty to get our creative juices flowing.
The Annual Awards went to the following people/groups
Social Impact Award: Maggie Betts and Jane Nichols
Innovation Award: Derwent Brass
Band Project of the Year: Tracey McGuire & Femmes Fortissimo
Outstanding Contribution Award (18 and under): Leon Gill
Outstanding Contribution Award (over 18s): Andrew Straiton
Services to Youth Award: Lee Rigg
Lifetime Achievement Award: James Shepherd
To find out more about each award winner and their work, please visit the Brass Bands England Awards webpage.
Congratulations to the award winners and also to Brass Bands England for such a well run conference.
