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I first visited the Municipality of Panyvesis in Lithuania three years ago on behalf of the Trefor Evans Trust.  Over the last 10 years there has been a commitment from the local council to provide musical opportunities for young people who could not readily access instrumental tuition because of cost, family circumstances or geographical location.  It was decided to model this on UK community brass bands bringing local musicians to their villages to help establish community music groups.  Many of these young musicians meet for three evenings a week to learn in a large group with smaller group tuition supporting the main band sessions.  The scheme proved extremely popular and whilst the tuition flourished much of the basic infrastructure of instruments, music and training had not been developed to meet the needs of the students.

In 2006 there was still a desperate shortage of instruments, one band only having 5 instruments between 20 students.  In the same year, the Trefor Evans Trust was formed to address this need and less than one year later had amassed over 120 instruments which were sent to the region.

Since 2007, I have been fortunate to make a further three visits.  During these trips we focused on supporting bands with new music and instrument accessories as well as developing a new starter book, translated into Lithuania, which provides a framework for beginner students as well as games and teacher led activities. 

My recent visit in March this year has given me the opportunity to speak directly to the lecturers, teachers and helpers.  With the help of Philip Cowley (Gloucestershire Music) and Robert (John Packer Instruments) we were able to deliver seminars on music education in the UK, how students think and learn and ensemble playing.  I was delighted to see more than 50 teachers attend from around Lithuania and firm friendships with teachers have been formed. 

On Wednesday 7^th April I made my fifth visit to Panyvesis to adjudicate and conduct at the 10^th National Brass Band Championships.  This was a very special trip where the hard work of so many people had really started to show through.  Over 40 bands participated in five sections.  Many of the young players I first net in 2007 were now on stage winning national titles, some having even gone on to gain places at various music colleges and successfully auditioned for the European Youth Brass Band.

It will not be long before I make my sixth trip, in the mean time why not visit www.lbba.lt for more details of the Lithuanian brass band movement. 

Steven Legge