The Learner Course
Learn to play a musical instrument!
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Bristol Concert Wind Band runs a three-year course which helps adults from 18 to 118 learn a wind, brass or percussion instrument from the very beginning in a friendly, supportive environment. All music is provided and we have an instrument loan scheme or can give advice on hiring or buying an instrument. We'll even teach you how to read music!
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Instruments: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Drums, Glockenspiel / Xylophone
We currently have one group in year 3 of their course, run by Tina Bartlett, who will graduate in September 2024.
EXCITNG NEWS! NEW LEARNER COURSE STARTING SEPTEMBER 2023. See below for further details
Fresh Winds (New Learner Course)
Tutored by Heather Platt
Rehearses 7:30 - 9:30pm Every Friday at Bethesda Independent Methodist Church, Staple Hill BS16 4QG
Beginner Level
The new course starts on Friday 15th September 2023 for absolute beginners, with the focus on encouraging people into playing brass, double-reed and percussion instruments, however other players are also welcome!
The group will rehearse every Friday at Bethesda Independent Methodist Church.
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If you are interested in joining or would like further information please get in contact with us.
Where We Rehearse
Where We Rehearse
Fair Winds
Tutored by Tina Bartlett
Rehearses 7:45 - 9:30pm Every Wednesday at Downend Library BS16 5TW
Beginner Level
Fair Winds has been running since September 2021 and as such is not open to absolute beginners but if you are interested in joining at year 3 level or as someone who has not played for a number of years and wants to get back into playing again at this level please get in contact with us.
About Heather Platt
A multi-instrumentalist who did her first teaching at a Saturday Music School under the direction of her tutor as a young music student.
Through her 20s Heather focused on being a young mum and running a family home so, apart from some earnings from street performances, most of her music sharing & playing was for the everyday joy of it. About a decade later she started to teach individual lessons at home.
During the 1990s she formed, played in and ran the “Cwm-Rhyd Ensemble”, a baroque recorder group. She also spent over 5 years running and conducting “The Aeron Teify Flute Band”. All this was in South Wales where she continued with private tuition of several instruments and of Music Theory along with teaching at a summer music camp for 2 years. During that time she added to her qualifications with an Adult Certificate of Education.
In the past two decades she moved to South Gloucester spending time training in Music Therapy whilst working with young people in special education and in summer play schemes. She has also had therapeutic work placements with the NAS and with a club for adults with physical and/or cognitive disabilities. Amongst all of this and Windjammers Heather also plays French Horn in Blown Away!
About Tina Bartlett
An accomplished Flautist who studied as a child with Patricia and Lamond Clelland.
Tina learnt both the Flute and Violin as a child, passing both her grade 8 flute and grade 6 violin aged 15. She started off her playing experience with the Wessex Flute Band playing Treble Flute (conducted by Lamond Clelland, ex Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra). She also enjoyed playing violin with Trowbridge Orchestra.
She then studied Music A Level at College, and whilst studying Law at a University, Tina played Flute/Piccolo with the University Musicians Society and Swansea Concert Band.
After leaving University Tina moved to Bristol for work and had a short break from playing... but it wasn't long before she missed it and joined what is now Blown Away! to get back into playing. Later, she played with BCWB for which she became Principal Flute/Piccolo.
After having 2 children, Tina has now left playing with BCWB as a regular member, but continues play with them as a dep.
Tina began running Fair Winds in 2017. In relation to conducting, she has previous experience from helping conduct and teach with Musicale Holidays when she was studying her A Levels. She ran Swansea University's Musicians Society in her last year at University and conducted the Orchestra and Jazz Band during that time. Tina also teaches flute privately.
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Fees
The standard fee for members of the learner course is £6 per week. As a not-for-profit organisation this fee covers the cost of tuition, rehearsal venue hire and investment in sheet music, instruments and any other equipment that is required.