Barbican Arts

Children playing brass instruments

Barbican Arts

GAM is part of Make Music Gloucestershire, our county's music hub
Group of ballet dancers practicing

Also at Barbican House

There are many other arts activities and classes at Barbican House which you can book directly with the organisers. 

Read below to find out more.

Flowers Band

Ariel shot of Flowers Band (Gloucester)

The Flowers Band is based in Gloucester and was formed in 1968. On the contesting stage Flowers Band have won many accolades becoming ‘Champion Band of the West of England’ 14 times, winning the French Open 4 times, 9 victories at Butlins Mineworkers Championships, and several podium places at the Brass in Concert Championships. Alongside these achievements, many of the principal players of the band have been acknowledged with Best Soloist and Best Instrumentalist awards at major competitions.

2024 was the band’s most successful contesting year ever, beginning with a victory at The West of England Regional Championships in March. In June the band were crowned French Open Champions. In September the band achieved its highest ever placing at The British Open Brass Band Championships, achieving 2nd place and securing their first ever invitation to represent England at The European Championships in Linz, Austria, in April 2026. October saw the band become National Champions of Great Britain for the first time, a historic moment as no band from the West of England have ever won in the 124 year history of the contest. November saw the band achieve a further 3rd place at Brass in Concert, along with winning the Audience Prize by popular vote.
 
On the concert stage, the band has performed at many prestigious festivals such as Three Choirs Festival and Newbury Spring Festival and the Bourgueil Brass Festival in the beautiful Loire Valley of France. The band performs concerts both locally and all over England, aiming to present diverse programmes that appeal to everyone, and details of where you can see the band next can be found on their website www.flowers.band. 
 
The principal players of the band also give workshops and masterclass days as Flowers Band believes it is extremely important to support grassroots music making and support the musical development of people wherever possible in order to support the overall brass band movement.
Find out more

LAMDA

NAPPA Indian performing arts logo

Gloucestershire LAMDA Tuition was founded by Helen Di Tomaso, an established LAMDA Speech and Drama Teacher with over ten years of experience of delivering the LAMDA curriculum in Gloucestershire schools.

Helen has a Teaching Diploma in Speech and Drama Education from The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art  (LAMDA) and an Honours Degree in Theatre from the Guildford School of Acting.

At GAM, Helen’s team aim to offer LAMDA Speech and Drama tuition in a nurturing environment. All students are encouraged to find their voice and reach their full potential.

The benefits of LAMDA tuition are cross-curricular and can:

  • Improve standards in communication through the spoken word.
  • Foster an appreciation of literature, poetry, and drama.
  • Support the creative, intellectual, and social development of the individual as a whole.

LAMDA Tuition at GAM includes acting, verse and prose speaking, performing Shakespearean monologues, public speaking and musical theatre performances. Plus, Pre-school drama coming soon! 

In addition to LAMDA examination preparation, pupils enjoy performing at local festivals across the Southwest.

07810207269 Facebook: ‘Helen Di Tomaso Drama Teacher’ 

Contact Helen

GLOUCESTER DEMENTIA CHOIR

NAPPA Indian performing arts logo
Gloucester Dementia Choir provides weekly choir sessions for people living with dementia, their families and carers to help promote cognitive, social and emotional well-being, through music.
 
The choir is run by Becky Chevis and Jenny Harrison, who together have over 10 years of experience in varying areas of the music and care industry, including personal experiences and family members who have lived with the condition and benefitted from the power of music.
 
Launched in December 2022, the choir rehearses every Friday from 11am to 12:00. For more information, contact us using the button below. 
 
Gloucester Dementia Choir provides social opportunities for connecting with others and communicating through music. Studies have proven that music can be highly effective for people living with dementia and can help them to feel uplifted, reduce anxiety and agitation, bring back memories and help with word finding. Singing and making music together increases social and emotional well-being. 
 
You can watch videos of the choir in action on its Facebook page
Find out more