
Enchanted Light was created to introduce my new role as Composer in Association with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. It is the 9th in the Bluebird series, a collaborative online project with Belinda Evans. I'd recently worked with Colin Booth who commissioned me to write for the ottavino (Diamond Fantasia) and I wondered what it would be like to combine that with the majestic sound of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and of course the wonderful voice of Belinda Evans!
Enchanted Light was put together by the amazing team of Lukas Greiwe (UWE Bristol) on sound, video by Sam Johnston and animation by Gary Andrews. It was later broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
Words are by Carole Bent, the creative catalyst of our Bluebird project through her inspirationalSTEM to STEAM gatherings.
If we are lucky, we all have moments in the sunlight,
when the day seems a little warmer
and the sky a little bluer.
If we are lucky, we notice the glitter in the concrete,
the sparkle in the cement
and we remember to stop and to smile.
If we are lucky, we see hearts everywhere,
not just in the eyes of those we love,
but all around us as we walk in nature,
in a leaf blown or a smudge left
or a pebble rolling back from the sea.
And at the end.
This is it.
Only love and nature really count.
(C) Carole Bent

Remembrance Concert
Coleford Community Choir and Lydbrook Band.
All proceeds will be going to the Poppy Appeal.
Interval refreshments

The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference is the world's largest instrumental music education conference, annually drawing approximately 17,000 attendees to Chicago from all 50 states and as many as forty countries.
The Midwest Clinic annual conference offers engaging learning opportunities for high school students, college music majors, new teachers, veteran teachers, and music administrators. Attendees may choose from 100+ clinics presented by leaders in the profession, aimed at teaching specific instruments or sections, conducting and rehearsal techniques, administering a music program, developing strategies for recruitment and retention, strengthening strategies for music advocacy, teaching improvisation and composition, and implementing technology. Two cornerstones of the conference are the Reading Sessions, that highlight new music publications, and the Rehearsal Labs, that demonstrate best teaching practices.Throughout the conference, Performances are presented by a variety of musical groups from around the world, including: string orchestras, concert bands, wind ensembles, jazz ensembles or combos, and a variety of chamber groups. Musicians in these ensembles range from elementary, middle, and high school students, college and university students, adult community organizations, professional musicians, and the premiere performers of The United States Military.

Charity concert featuring the world premiere of Precious Stones, Belshazzar's Feast, Gershwin Piano Concerto in F (soloist Isata Kanneh Mason) and a new commission 'Blow, blow thou winter wind' by Tom Green. Conducted by Chris Hill.
Help Musicians - a charity for professional musicians of all genres, both in work and in retirement. They help at times of crisis, but also at times of opportunity, giving people the support they need at the crucial stages that could make or break their career.
Bristol Music Trust - a cultural organisation promoting music and the arts. It’s responsible for developing a vibrant programme of music and events at Bristol Beacon, and for supporting young people through music education activities in Bristol and the South West.

The New Zealand Brass Band Championships is one of the world’s oldest music competitions.
The first contest was held in the Christchurch Drill Hall on the 17th of April 1880 with an audience of 2500 people. Six bands competed, and the audience chose the winner – the Invercargill Garrison Band, under the command of Captain W.E. Heywood.
Invercargill is a compact city, and all venues are within easy walking distance. The following venues will be used for the solos on Wednesday and Thursday:
Hall 1 Civic Theatre
Hall 2 Wikitoria Room, upstairs in the Civic
Hall 3 St John’s Church, as part of SIT (has a café on site) on Esk Street.
Hall 4 The Central Baptist Church on Deveron Street
Hall 5 (Wednesday only) – for open ensembles - is at the First Church on Tay Street.
On Friday 16 and Saturday 17 April, the A and B Band events will be in the Civic Theatre, and C, D, and Youth will be at the Christian Centre on Leet Street. The Street March route on Friday will run through the beautiful (and flat) Queens Gardens.