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Making Music member group Dunbartonshire Concert Band (DCB) were delighted to be chosen as guest editors for BBC Radio 4’s Today programme with its 5.8 million weekly listeners, in a highly competitive application process.
Based just outside of Glasgow, Dunbartonshire Concert Band is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The group was set up by two BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra musicians, Glyn Brag and Geoff Haydock, who decided to create more opportunities for leisure-time music makers in the Dunbartonshire Area in 1973. DCB were selected out of over 1,000 entries to guest edit Radio 4’s Today programme on Saturday 19 August. The guest editors from Dunbartonshire Concert Band are Alan Cooper, Andrew McDonald, Anne Dunbar and Moyra Hawthorn.
The guest editors brought their unique perspectives and experience to the forefront, curating a program that covered a diverse range of important issues for leisure-time music groups as well as featuring recorded rehearsals from the group. Topics included the benefits of playing a musical instrument, even for those starting later in life or getting back into playing - editor Alan took up the oboe in his forties as the DCB welcomes players of all levels and skills. The group investigated music education in schools and the value of music learning for young people, and violinist and music education campaigner Nicola Benedetti made a passionate argument for well resourced, good quality, general music education. The programme included a discussion with neuro-musicologist Anita Collins on the benefits of making music for cognitive functions, ageing, dementia and Alzheimer’s. The DCB also spoke about taking on the management of the Kessington Hall, a local authority owned building now being run by volunteers as a community arts space as well as the band’s rehearsal studio.
Making Music’s Alison Reeves followed up this conversation on Monday’s Today programme, highlighting the challenges of accessing spaces for rehearsing and venues for performing with pressures on this infrastructure from local authority budget restrictions and the closure of church halls.
Reflecting on this extraordinary opportunity, the Dunbartonshire Concert Band expressed:
'It was a surreal but exhilarating experience for us. Delighted by all the content, with a particularly powerful interview from Nicola Benedetti. The sections on learning to play an instrument at a later age and its effects on cognitive development have resonated with many listeners.'
Barbara Eifler of Making Music says:
'We’re delighted that Dunbartonshire Concert Band have been given this opportunity to shine a light on leisure-time music making. Ours is a sector often invisible to policy makers and arts funders as it is self-organised and self-funds its activities. But the impact and significance of leisure-time music are enormous – both in the numbers of people it reaches and the benefits it brings to individuals and communities.'
Listen to DCB’s broadcast through BBC Sounds and Alison Reeves’ segment at the 1 hour 24 minute mark through BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme website. The programme is available to listen to after one month from August 19.
Making Music has a Find a Group tool for anyone who wants to start playing or singing, or who already has the skills and would like to join a group.
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Notes to editors
Since 1935, Making Music has championed leisure-time music groups across the UK with practical services, artistic development opportunities and by providing a collective voice for its members. We now represent over 4,000 groups of around 2280,000 musicians of all types, genres and abilities. We help them run their group so they can get on with making music! makingmusic.org.uk
Dunbartonshire Concert Band (DCB)
Based outside of Glasgow, DCB is a distinguished musical ensemble that showcases exceptional talent and dedication to the leisure-time music sector. Members of the DCB now help to deliver the DCB Kessington project, which manages Kessington Hall as a community music and arts facility (on behalf of the local council). The guest editors taking part in the programme are leisure-time musicians from DCB who have played together for several years. They have a broad range of musical experience and are committed to promoting the benefits of music. The guest editors have a diverse range of professional expertise including science, education, health and social work, teaching and research. dunbartonshireconcertband.co.uk
BBC Radio 4's 'Today' Programme
A prominent programme with 5.8 million weekly listeners, providing a platform for impactful discussions on a wide range of topics. BBC Radio 4’s Today programme website
