60 brass and woodwind players took part in the 2024 two-day February half term orchestral project: The Big Blast. Designed for young musicians aged 5 to 18, from pre Grade 1 to post-Grade 8, the project for wind, percussion and brass players ran on 14 and 15 February.

Thanks to the generous support of GSW Music Hub a place costs just £45 per student per project for students living in Gloucestershire, and £50 for those living outside the county.

This year's theme was flight and hits from stage musicals, with a medley of numbers including Frank Sinatra’s ‘Come Fly with Me’, and ‘Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.’

The project took place at Dean Close Senior School for the first day, then moved to Gloucester for a second day of rehearsals at our Barbican House base followed by a performance for family and friends at Blackfriars Priory

The children were supported by tutors from Gloucestershire Academy of Music, The Flowers Band and Make Music Gloucestershire, led by conductor Hannah Opstad, who has directed The Big Blast since its launch.

Day 1:

9.30am – 4pm Rehearsal at Dean Close School (follow signs to the Bacon Theatre).

Day 2:

9.30am Rehearsal at GAM HQ, Barbican House, Gloucester

3pm Concert at Blackfriars Priory, Gloucester

3.45pm Close