On Sunday 31 January 2010, Reading Music Centre, in association with DrumWright, played host to a drum – kit masterclass featuring Andy Leask and Ralph Salmins.

Find out more about Andy and Ralph below and read what Danny Penalver (ICMP student and winner of the 2009 Drum Scholarship) had to say about the event.

Congratulations to Reading Music Centre pupil, Deborah Pope (pictured, left) who achieved 100% in her Grade 5 theory exam with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

Deborah, who was 14 when she took the exam last November, had theory lessons with Maestros teacher Denise Hartwell. She is currently learning the violin and plays in the Intermediate String Orchestra.

This is an absolutely outstanding result. Well done Deborah!

Ralph Allwood to work with Berkshire Youth Choir

Distinguished conductor Ralph Allwood will be leading a workshop with Berkshire Youth Choir on Thursday 17 June 2010.

Berkshire Maestros is delighted to be involved in helping BA pilot Jim Trott with a fantastic project: bringing the joy of music to a deprived community in Africa. A number of older brass instruments which are no longer suitable for use by Maestros students have been donated to the Kampala Music School in Uganda. Special mention also goes to members of the Bracknell and Wokingham Community Band who have donated instruments to the project, baked cakes and donated prizes for tea time raffles, in order to raise money to cover the shipping costs.

Bracknell Music Centre's South Berkshire Youth Brass Band put in a thrilling performance when they took part in the Schools Prom at the Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday 11 November. SBYB were invited to the Schools Prom having taken part in the National Festival of Music for Youth at Symphony Hall, Birmingham earlier this year.