Rylstone Chalet, Popham Road, Shanklin, PO37 6RG

Registered Charity Number: 1134447

As part of its commitment to musical education Shanklin Town Brass Band run a dedicated Brass Academy on Saturday Mornings in term time. The principle behind the Brass Academy is to make musical education, particularly the playing of brass instruments which are notoriously expensive, accessible to as many people as possible.

Many of the learners receive an instrument on free loan from the Band, and lessons themselves are £1 a week.

Here learners of all ages (both children and adult) are taught from scratch how to play a brass instrument, or percussion, and to read music. They are taught by experienced musicians and entered for The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music examinations. Practical musicianship is taught to Grade VIII, and Musical theory to Grade V.

One of our pupils after achieving his Grade VIII, commenced studying for Dip ABRSM, which is a diploma in music.

Additionally, the Brass Academy also runs an annual Solo Competition in November, which is adjudicated by our Band President, Dennis Wilby (seen pictured left adjudicating the 2010 competition), where children as young as six can test their abilities against their friends.