Burbage Band premieres outreach children’s masterpieces

Burbage School was the venue for a very special world premiere when pupils heard their own musical compositions performed for the first time.

The Festival’s Celia Dunk had taught the youngsters how to write short pieces of music during outreach sessions at the school, and invited Burbage Band, one of the oldest in the world, to come and play them.

And the Band gave a masterclass in how music is created, with an extremely funny but highly professional break-down of how each section works together, with the classic circus theme The Big Top,  originally Julius Fucik’s Entry of the Gladiators, as the finale.

“I think this is brilliant,” Band Musical Director Steve Critchlow said of the outreach programme.

“I’m very impressed with what the kids have been learning. To see them writing music is very impressive, and it was a real joy to put their notes to music and watch their faces.

“That’s what music is all about. You have to work hard, but the rewards at the end are fantastic,” he said.

“Music teaching in schools is having a difficult time so it is really important for organisations like Burbage Band to go out there and give access to it.”

Celia said: “I’m just completely overwhelmed by how many of the Band gave up their time voluntarily on a Friday afternoon to come in and do this.”