2009 Christmas Course Report

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The bad weather in the North of England did its best to disrupt the Christmas Residential Course of The Cornwall Youth Brass Band, which was held at Truro High School for Girls from the 27 th to 30 th December. Guest Conductor Garry Cutt was snowed in and had to postpone his arrival until late on the second day of the four day Course.

Despite delays to her flights from Italy , Guest Soloist, Trombonist Lisa Sarasini, managed to arrive in time to join Garry and the sixty two young Musicians for the rest of the intensive days of studying and rehearsing a wide range of music. This included several works by Cornish Bard and composer, Goff Richards, who is the Band's Music Advisor. As well as full Band rehearsals with Garry Cutt, the musicians had Sectional rehearsals for their particular instruments, taken by the team of local Tutors.

The members of the Band, who join following an Audition and are drawn from twenty eight local Bands also enjoyed a range of social activities during the Course, which culminated in a public Concert at St Michael's Church in Newquay. Here a packed audience of parents and supporters gave an enthusiastic reception to the young musicians, whose ages range from ten to twenty, as they demonstrated their high level of musical ability and enthusiasm in tackling the challenging programme.