They are the top university brass band in the country ... and they also do some brilliant community work.

Musicians in the University of Huddersfield Brass Band help young people form a love of music.

The band has been nominated by Prof John Bryan, head of music and drama at the university, who said: “The band are wonderful ambassadors for Huddersfield, taking a remarkably high level of musicianship to a wide range of audiences throughout the region and beyond. Consisting of undergraduate and postgraduate students from the university, the band performs regularly to capacity audiences.

“These often include many younger people and the band works hard to inspire children to become involved in music making. Many of the student players also work with local youth bands, coaching the next generation of players and many go on to work in education after graduating.”

University of Huddersfield brass band at Huddersfield Town Hall
University of Huddersfield brass band at Huddersfield Town Hall

The band recently won the annual UniBrass competition, beating off stiff opposition from 15 rivals from Manchester, York, Oxford and 10 other leading universities from around the UK – their second consecutive year as champions – and were conducted by university lecturer Jonathan Beatty.

The 50-strong band offers opportunities for individual students to perform solos, conduct, compose and arrange music for the ensemble.

The band’s director is Phillip McCann, a world famous cornet player, coach and director, who was the 2013 recipient of the Henry John Iles medal awarded by the Worshipful Company of Musicians for an outstanding contribution to the brass band movement.

Prof Bryan added: “These young peoples’ commitment to their music, their educational, outreach and charity work, as well as their remarkably high level of musicianship deserves the recognition that an Examiner Arts Award nomination would bring them.”

He's an artist who has raised a colossal amount of money for charity.

Community Awards 2014 nominee, artist Richard Gawthorpe of Mirfield
Community Awards 2014 nominee, artist Richard Gawthorpe of Mirfield

It was 20 ago when Richard Gawthorpe began Kirkwood Hospice’s personalised Christmas card scheme by painting local scenes for their card designs after he’d already painted local scenes for greetings cards for the hospice. He also put on an art exhibition and spent time finding and developing sponsors to maximise the money that was raised.

And over that time the amount he has raised has totalled a staggering £300,000 with Richard putting in well over 4,000 voluntary hours.

Hospice fundraising manager Marie Peacock said: “This is an amazing amount and he has made a real difference to the lives of our patients and their families.

Over the last two decades the scheme has grown bigger and Richard continues to work hard, not only spending a minimum of over 80 hours on each painting he designs for the cards but also in promoting and raising sponsorship. He even undertakes an annual sponsored walk!”

But that’s not all. In 2013 Richard devised a souvenir brochure of pictures from the last 20 years and the money that brought in took him to over the £300,000.

Richard said: “The total just seems to have crept up and came as a shock but I’m proud of it.”

And he’s certainly not done yet.

Marie added: “Richard works tirelessly to continue to grow the card scheme and is even holding an art exhibition this month to raise much needed funds as well as awareness of the work of the hospice.

“We are really appreciative of all the hours Richard has put into the scheme. At our reckoning this is at least 4,000 hours in painting time without all the other work he does to ensure the scheme is a success year on year.

“Richard’s latest picture was done to commemorate the re-opening of the in-patient unit in July last year after a £3m refurbishment. This has been hung in the unit’s dining area.

“The money that Richard has raised covers the cost of caring for hundreds of people from within our community, making a real difference to them and their families when they need our support the most. He truly deserves to be recognised for his contribution to our charity and the people we care for.”

Richard, 69, of Mirfield, used to be the PE teacher at Mirfield Free Grammar School and has painted all his life. He has run Roberttown Art Group for 15 years and also ran a youth group at Hollybank Special School for around eight years.

He is married to Janet and the couple have a son, a daughter and four grandchildren.

Hoot has been providing sessions in music, dance, song and other creative arts activities for more than 10 years – but it has a very specific mission.

Hoot Breathing Space project for people with dementia in Huddersfield. Andrea Freeman (left), visual artist who ran a collection of sessions
Hoot Breathing Space project for people with dementia in Huddersfield. Andrea Freeman (left), visual artist who ran a collection of sessions

This is to make the arts accessible to everyone as a means of improving health, enhancing wellbeing and realising personal and creative potential.

It’s proved that art can play a vital part in people’s lives – never more so than helping people suffering from dementia.

And that’s just what Hoot Creative Arts’ innovative Breathing Space project does which has been described as “ground-breaking” by Hoot fundraiser and administrator Holly Petrie.

She said: “Hoot’s mission is that “we want to make and use great art to challenge stigma associated with mental ill health and ensure good mental health is important to everyone.”

“Breathing Space brings together people with dementia conditions and their partner, family or carer for quality, creative time together.

“It’s well established that taking part in creative activities has positive benefits to mental and physical health and wellbeing. Participants can take part in weekly group sessions where they can meet people, make friends and have fun. Sessions include music and song, movement, dance and visual arts. It’s a place to revisit forgotten stories, songs, creative skills and movement and explore new and exciting ones with no pressure on learning steps, remembering words or playing complex music.

“The sessions have now been running for two years and have worked with over 100 people.”

Hoot staff and artists are experienced at working with people who may lack confidence and self-esteem and are familiar with the challenges this can present. They recognise the importance of providing a reassuring, supportive place in which people can develop their creativity and nourish their personal wellbeing and growth.

Dance Movement Psychotherapist Dr Richard Coaten added: “The project is pioneering in its all-inclusive approach to the arts, making them accessible and meaningful to all who can come.”

Likewise, participants consistently feedback that they feel happier after attending sessions with comments such as ‘it 100% brightens up our week’; ‘he is more attentive than usual’, ‘I feel reborn’ and ‘grandma has mentioned Hoot every day this week and has looked forward to it. She is always in a fantastic mood after these sessions and speaks about it in an excited manner'.

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