Village brass band for children wins national award

Joshua, 11, plays the euphonium in Brass Roots

A village brass band for children has won a national award.

Bratton Community Brass Band, near Westbury, Wiltshire, has been running for more than 100 years, and it launched a children's section, Brass Roots, in 2023.

The new group has now won a Classic FM award for Best Music Learning Initiative.

Lydia Grace-Hills, musical director, said: "Brass banding is the best type of mindfulness you can get. There is nothing better than making music together."

Lydia Grace-Hills said playing in the band reduces anxiety for children

Ms Grace-Hills said the initiative began by going into local primary schools and playing concerts in front of pupils.

"For many of them it was the first time they'd experienced brass instruments," she said.

"They began to see how amazing brass banding is, so they came and joined."

She added that she felt brass bands can help to reduce anxiety.

"A lot of children who are in Brass Roots might struggle with reading and writing, but they found something that's theirs."

Judges said they were "blown away" by the band

Joshua, 11, plays the euphonium. He said: "You're happy and you just enjoy playing. There's lots of lovely people here."

Gareth, 10, who plays the cornet, said: "Musical instruments make me feel calm and when I play, it puts me in a comfort zone. I have fun and I enjoy the people that I play with."

The Classic FM award judges said: “We were literally blown away by the energy and enthusiasm of the Bratton Community Brass Bands – making music in the heart of Wiltshire."