Tuesday 11th October, Dean Close School welcomed Wells Cathedral School to share in a ‘Brass Skills Day’. Pupils as young as seven and up to eighteen spent an entire day developing their musical skills on the trumpet, cornet, French horn, trombone, baritone and euphonium. The day ended with all the musicians coming together for a spectacular brass concert, held in the Centenary Hall.
Wells Cathedral School is one of the country’s four specialist music schools. Mr Denegri, their inspirational Head of Brass, spent the day working closely with each of the three brass ensembles at Dean Close (27 pupils in total) preparing them for the evening concert. Staff, pupils and fellow musicians enjoyed listening to each ensemble perform pieces such as ‘O When the Saints’, ‘The Bare Necessities’, ‘Locus Iste’ by Bruckner, and, all three groups joined together with the Wells Cathedral School Senior Brass Quintet, to play ‘Hallelujah Drive’ by Chris Hazell.
During the concert the audience and players were privileged to hear some words of wisdom from Mr Denegri on ‘How to practise’, which was of great interest to musicians and their parents, not just the brass players.
Bella Stevens, Dean Close pupil, enthused, “I learned so much today, especially about breathing. I really enjoyed playing alongside fellow brass players from Wells Cathedral School. Mr Denegri was really fun and I loved the massed piece with all the seniors.”
Mrs Hannah Opstad, Head of Brass at Dean Close School, said, “What a brilliant day! Our young musicians have had such an enriching experience from a day dedicated to brass playing. The enthusiasm from Mr Denegri was infectious and we were all inspired, pupils and staff alike. Thank you to Wells Cathedral School for sharing a wonderful day with us.”