Following a successful pilot with Geoffrey Brand in the spring, Harmonie decided to hold another high profile Workshop in the autumn.  The main lesson learned was that the band and guests needed longer to gain the most from top line professional tutors.  What was needed was a full day followed by a concert.  It was quickly realised that the costs would be prohibititive to most players and so the band turned to the Lottery “Awards for All” scheme.

The Application was approved and then the hard work really began.  Keith Allen and his colleagues were booked for the event together with Bushell Hall for the concert.  We wanted to open up the opportunity to as many as possible and so a major promotional campaign was mounted.  This included approaching all the secondary schools in Solihull together with the Solihull Music Service, local bands and the press.  The Solihull Observer carried our story.

In the event, some 75 players tuned up at 9.30am on 6^th October and off we all went for a hard blow until 5.00pm.  Then, on 17th November, a concert was mounted at Bushell Hall in Solihull following an afternoon rehearsal.  

Agreement was reached with the local team of Cancer Research UK that they would promote and run the concert on 17^th November to allow the band to concentrate on the music.  The afternoon rehearsal went fine in the splendid surroundings and the concert was enthusiastically received by an audience of 250 who raised over £1500 for the charity.

Music proves to be a great uniter of people and new friendships were made alongside the improvement in playing.  Well done to all those involved.  Now have a look at the Photos.