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Raven and Julie open the Brass for All series with an honest chat about inclusion in brass bands — who gets to play, what barriers still exist, and how bands can better reflect their communities. From accessibility to representation, they explore why inclusion starts with listening and small changes. Join the conversation in the Brass for All Facebook group and help make brass banding truly for everyone.Long summary: In this episode, Raven and Julie kick off the Brass for All series — a year-long conversation exploring what inclusion really means in the world of brass bands. They discuss the roots of brass banding as a working-class movement “for everybody,” and question whether that spirit has been lost over time. The conversation touches on barriers to participation — from accessibility and representation to confidence and tradition — and looks at how bands can rebuild connections with their communities. Key themes include: The importance of conversation as the first step toward change Representation matters: “If you don’t see yourself in a band, you won’t join.” Breaking down barriers around disability, gender, class, and race Practical inclusion ideas – from coloured paper music parts to hearing loops and layout adjustments Listening culture: why inclusion starts with asking, not assuming Brass bands and community identity – how to reflect the diversity of modern life The power of small actions and why genuine change takes time The hosts invite listeners to join the discussion in the Brass for All Facebook group — a safe, open space for sharing experiences, anonymously if preferred. As Raven says, “Inclusion isn’t about changing who you are to fit in. It’s about creating space where everyone feels they belong.”

🎧 New Podcast Episode Alert! 🎧Tune in to the latest episode of "Sounds of..." by Drum and Brass where we dive deep into the success of Brass at the Castle! 🎺🏰In this special episode, we explore how this incredible event brought brass music to new audiences and celebrated the beauty of the genre. Hear from our insightful speakers:✨ Beth Lambert - Brass Bands England evaluator✨ Claudi Hayward - Outreach worker for Penrith and Eden Refugee Network✨ Andy Kershaw - Tuba player and conducting works...

The meeting began with a discussion on the organisation's mission and inclusion efforts, considering sharpening the mission statement to enhance inclusivity in music making and mental health support for marginalised communities. Julie and Davina discussed challenges in including diverse members in Drum and Brass's core mission, emphasising the need for safe and inclusive spaces. The conversation also touched on community music, hierarchical systems, and the lack of diversity in music therapy ...

Hello and welcome to Sounds of… a podcast created by Drum and Brass, with the support of Arts Council England. In today’s episode John Sinclair talks to Christina Birkby, one of the founders of “Leicester Musical Memory Box”. Her work is all about using music for health and wellbeing with a particular focus on supporting people affected by dementia.Christina talks about two exciting projects - the “Here and Now” project, in partnership with the Philharmonia Orchestra, and also a n...

Hello and welcome to Sounds of… a podcast created by Drum and Brass, with the support of Arts Council England. In today’s episode John Sinclair talks to Davina Vencatasami, one of the Drum and Brass Directors and a practising Music Therapist.Davina talks about her new role as leader for the Drum and Brass No Bars Orchestra, which she runs on Wednesdays after school at Woodgate Resources Centre in Leicester and she is also organising the annual conference for the British Association of M...

Hello and welcome to Sounds of… a podcast created by Drum and Brass, with the support of Arts Council England. In this episode we hear Julie Hoggarth, one of the directors of Drum and Brass talking about the development of a music project called Brass Inc - which she describes as an alternative style of orchestra. It is an inclusive music project which Julie runs at the Blue Jam Arts Centre in Penrith, Cumbria.Julie is joined by Ben who she first met in a project run by 4Eden...

Hello and welcome to Sounds of… a podcast created by Drum and Brass, with the support of Arts Council England. In today’s episode we hear about plans to set up a new inclusive music project in Penrith, Cumbria, supported by the Royal Mencap Society.During the 2023 school Summer holiday, Julie Hoggarth of Drum and Brass delivered a music workshop to some of the young people involved in a Holiday and Food project (which they call the HAF project) and Julie’s work inspired Cristina Bowman ...

Hello and welcome to Sounds of… a podcast created by Drum and Brass, with the support of Arts Council England. In today’s episode we hear about the Grasmere Summer Brass School, an event which took place in Grasmere Primary School on two sunny days in August 2023.We hear from the event organiser, Dave Higson of Burneside Brass who was supported by Liz Watson and Julie Hoggarth of Drum and Brass. Julie speaks to Dave, to youth leader Rory Knowles played lead and delivered a workshop and ...

Hello and welcome to Sounds of… a podcast created by Drum and Brass, with the support of Arts Council England. In today’s episode we hear John Sinclair talking to Geoff Forse, the coordinator of activities at the Woodgate Resources Centre in inner city Leicester - a building opened in 1898 as a Public Library, and providing the services of a community centre since 1989. In this episode we hear about the wide range of activities taking place at the centre, and learn how it has been suppo...

Hello and welcome to Sounds of… a podcast created by Drum and Brass, with the support of Arts Council England. In today’s episode we hear John Sinclair talking to Julie Hoggarth, founder of Drum and Brass. In 2019 Julie moved from Leicester to the working class village of Tebay, in Cumbria where she has established a brass band for young people to learn to play cornets, horns and trombones, and to learn the skills needed to be part of a community. In this episode we hear the...

Drum and Brass is a Community Interest Company whose mission is “To Do Music Differently”And one of our strategies is to introduce Children who live in inner city Leicester to the joys of playing instruments from a young age. Local Children are invited to attend different after school music sessions every day of the week with fees set at a low rate.The project is financially supported by the Leicestershire music Hub and some Children are able to access reduced fees making the sessions a...

Hello and welcome to Sounds of… a podcast created by Drum and Brass, with the support of Arts Council England. In today’s episode we hear John Sinclair talking to Violinist Helen Butterfield and Drum and Brass director, Sim Mistry about a new project called “The Schools Music Taster Project”. We’ll also hear about the group instrument lessons and music making workshops run by Drum and Brass at the Woodgate Resources Centre in Leicester, with financial support from Arts Council England a...

In today’s episode …. John Sinclair finds out about the Melody Makers - a beginners brass band set up by Julie Hoggarth in a small village in Cumbria. Julie explains how the band came into being during lockdown, and how learners develop a range of life skills as well as musical skills as they learn to play together.Thank you for listening and if you have enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and you will hear about the next episode as soon as it drops. And do take a look around t...

Hello and welcome to Sounds of… a podcast created by Drum and Brass, with the support of Arts Council England in which we explore the impact of music on our lives. In today’s episode we hear John Sinclair talking to Drum and Brass director, Sim Mistry about a new and innovative Drum and Brass project called Steam-Punk, Sound Junk.Sim outlines the aims of the project which has had financial support from Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation, Children in Need and Arts Coun...

Hello and welcome to Sounds of… a podcast created by Drum and Brass, with the support of Arts Council England in which we explore the impact of music on our lives. In today’s episode we hear Drum and Brass director, Julie Hoggarth talking to Darren Begnor..Darren Begnor is a writer, designer and artist. He is currently nearing the end of his probation period and aiming towards a creative career. He wrote "Not for Human Consumption" about his own prison experience. This play featur...