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As this month’s MT has a focus on brass teaching, I thought I’d open with a tribute to the great Quincy Jones, who died last month. A multi-Grammy Award winner and producer to the stars, he was an exceptional trumpeter, band leader, composer and arranger, capable of crossing any number of musical genres. He was also a cherished mentor and teacher, and passionate supporter of younger musicians whatever their background.
In recent weeks I’ve been reminded of his views, including the familiar ‘There are only two kinds of music: good music and the other kind’, an observation he borrowed from Duke Ellington. But another favourite of mine is: ‘I learned real early why God gave us two ears and one mouth, because you’re supposed to listen twice as much as you talk.’ Quincy Jones broke the mould in many ways.
We have contributions this month from trumpeters, horn players, trombonists and tuba players. We even have a review of a new tenor horn to complement this range of instruments, and bite-size advice for mastering transposition (p.55), which includes how and when to change clefs as well as intervals (the Dark Arts for some). We also explore genre, with Richard Steggall using the blues as a way of practising long notes and improvisation, and Anne Templer describing the repertoire and skills expected of conductors of wind bands.
At the other end of the music ed scale, I hear from Brass Bands England and one of the organisation’s youth development specialists. Deirdre Waller-Box shares how they’re driving inclusivity, creating networks and building on our nation’s fine tradition of town and youth bands.
Inclusivity is also the theme of our interview with Julia Toppin; a speaker at Expo 2025, she considers Black British music as part of a forward-thinking secondary curriculum. And it is also on the mind of Chris Walters as he describes how to make a successful application to the Loan Fund for Musical Instruments. Andy Grappy, meanwhile, tuba player extraordinaire, shares how he is used to breaking down barriers though his playing, teaching, writing and leadership.
On other topical matters, I’m pleased to welcome Graeme Smith, former head of Music Mark, and Liz Stafford, who reflect on the music hub reorganisation and priorities of the NPME (or those of Arts Council England), and Asha Bishop, who shares her experience of aligning secondary and primary music in the Loughborough area. All three raise important questions around strategy and continuity.
I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to the Association of Teachers of Singing, which joins us as a new partner for the Health & Wellbeing column. For their inaugural article, we hear from the chair of AOTOS, Pamela Hay, on looking after our voices.
If you haven’t done so already, remember to check out the programme for the Music & Drama Education Expo in January. An exciting two-day event, it’s free for delegates and has the benefit of allowing you to catch up with old friends (myself included).
Finally, enjoy the festive season and a rest after the adrenaline rush of carol concerts, nativity plays and Secret Santa.
