TAVISTOCK enjoyed a day filled with music recently, thanks to a special collaboration between Devon Music Service and ?Music Comes 2 Town? (MC2T). The event, held at Tavistock College, saw pupils from West Devon schools and residents from the wider community come together to experience the joys of playing and listening to music with the help of the Devon County Ensembles, djembe drumming master Denis Kigongo and the acclaimed brass quartet, Tubalaté. A renowned tuba-euphonium quartet, Tubalaté performed to a packed main hall at the college during their concert and their performance was ?nothing short of fantastic?, according to delighted organisers. The group played a varied programme that highlighted the versatility of large brass instruments and also demonstrated their high level of musicianship. Tubalaté also staged a master class for brass players from the county ensembles, as well as demonstration sessions for members of the public, in which all attendees helped compose and perform a short piece of music, before accompanying the group on percussion. Peter Jones, Tavistock town councillor and conductor of Devon Youth Brass Band, said he was delighted to have the opportunity to work with the group. ?The workshops given by Tubalaté for brass players from the county ensembles and local brass players that had come to join us for the day were absolutely fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable for all involved.? And members of Tubalaté had high praise for the Tavistock community as they joined in the Dickensian Evening carol service ? with one member so enthused, he was invited to join the local choral society. In addition to the work of Tubalaté, Denis Kigongo of Experience Africa gave djembe workshops that proved extremely popular with the many families and members of the community who attended. Visitors were invited to observe open rehearsals and short performances and many young people took the opportunity to sit in and play with the Devon Youth Flute Ensemble, Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra Two and Devon Youth Wind Orchestra. Following from the success of this MC2T, and that held in March, Devon Music Service is now making plans to visit Barnstaple in March 2006. With additional workshops and demonstrations from visiting professionals, the MC2T event series gives communities the opportunity to come together to share their enjoyment of music and learn something new. For more information, contact Devon Music Service on 01392 385600.
