The Band has a thriving learners' Group under the direction of Mrs. Helen Palmer. Practice takes place in Amewsbury Primary School Hall, situated in Coldharbour, on Wednesdays during term time. New beginners play from 5 - 6 pm and improvers from 6 - 7 pm. The instruments used are the main brass band range; cornet, flugal horn, tenor horn, baritone, trombone and two or three trumpets, plus a little percussion.

      Helen has many years of teaching experience, especially in music and has novel ways of comparing the shapes of written music to everyday things, which helps to dispel the mystique of it all. Looking around at the 20 or so in the main group, everyone looks rapt with interest and there is good feed-back. Learners all work from the “Tune-a-Day” tuition book for wind instruments (new edition). This includes a CD providing accompaniment for all the tunes in the book which is very useful for home practice.

        Most of the learners' group is aged between 8 and 15 years, with some younger members, and quite a few adults. Four members of the main band give individual tuition and help to boost the ensemble. Three of the older youngsters now sit in the band regularly; the idea is that more will do so as time goes on.

       There is much enthusiasm amongst the entire group, including Mrs Palmer herself who is energetic in getting everyone to read the music accuratelyand well,l and continually asks questions about written music, key signatures, various scales, marks of expression etc. Several have done well in the Associated Board graded exams.

         The success of this group is the result of talks by Mrs Palmer given to the local Primary School with demonstrations on the different instruments given by 5 or 6 members of the band. This is all done with permission of the Head Teacher Mrs Ros Hart, whose generous assistance and encouragement is much appreciated.

         Recently the Learners' Band played at the Mayor of Salisbury's reception for German Students in  Salisbury's ancient Guildhall to the great appreciation of all who attended.

          Helen Palmer Telephone: 01722 782687 E-Mail: h.palmer@libero.it

            See some more of our Learners at this link:  Training Photos