Alan Fernie hails African music project

Alan Fernie has returned after spending two months working in Kampala with Brass for Africa.

SCOTTISH musician Alan Fernie has hailed a “life-affirming” project using music to help improve the lives of disadvantaged young people in Africa.

The composer, conductor and educator spoke out after returning from a two-month spell working with Brass for Africa in the city of Kampala, which saw him teaching and conducting, overseeing the existing music staff and running the Saturday music school. 

Alan, visiting principal of brass learning with Brass for Africa, said: “Working with the young people through Brass for Africa was life-affirming.

“They are tremendous young people facing all sorts of difficulties in life. Most of them are street kids, homeless, but this project gives them a focus in life.

“The skills the music teachers are learning stand them in good stead for whatever path they choose to go down. One is studying law and another is pursuing accountancy and that is thanks to the wonderful opportunities they have been given with this project.”

During his residency, Alan also helped guide several students through their Associated Board grade exams and conducted M-Lisada Brass Band in a CD recording project which included his work and music by Jim Trott, executive director at Brass for Africa.

The trip comes as Alan revealed a new deal with publishing company Obrasso offers him the opportunity to accept commissions from other organisations.

The Scottish musician praised Brass for Africa for its work with young people.

Now the Borders-based musician hopes to return to the city as Brass for Africa continues to develop in Kampala and beyond.

Commenting on Alan’s residency, Jim Trott said: "During his time in Africa Alan worked tirelessly to further the musical, personal and professional development of Brass for Africa's beneficiaries and staff. 

Alan trained the bands and conductors, he worked in the outreach programmes teaching extremely disadvantaged children and mentoring our young teachers. He spent hours teaching one on one, he composed several new pieces for the bands and solos for individual musicians as well as leading the CD recording. 

"All this and he introduced a huge amount of new repertoire, opening the eyes and minds of many to new music and techniques; an incredible legacy in a relatively short space of time. Thank you Alan!"