CASE STUDIES
Sutton Music Project
Sutton Music, in partnership with the Philharmonia Orchestra, proudly launched Future Brass, an ambitious initiative uniting four primary schools to form beginner brass ensembles.
The project was designed to bridge the gap
between Whole Class Ensemble Teaching (WCET) and progression into Sutton Music Trust’s (SMT) Bands and Orchestras, while tackling the post-COVID decline in brass instrument uptake.
On Sunday, 2nd February, students performed at the Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre, in a lively showcase conducted by Phil White (2nd Trombone, Philharmonia Orchestra) and supported by SMT tutors.
The programme, featuring pieces like Theme
from Rocky and Havana, drew an audience of over 150 and included performances alongside Philharmonia Fellows.
After the performance, students were encouraged to continue their brass journey through school lessons or SMT’s Music Academy, with pathways into the Sutton Youth Training Band.
Building on this success, SMT expanded the initiative in September 2025 with the launch of Future Brass &
Future Strings! – offering even more young musicians accessible and inspiring progression routes.
Reflecting on the experience,
Phil White shared:
Through LMF, Iris has had unforgettable opportunities. From performing in orchestras, AI audition simulations to stepping into a real radio studio, she’s been immersed in experiences that have sparked her creativity and deepened her love for music.Future Brass involved 40 children from four primary Schools in the Sutton area.
By the end of the programme, student’s confidence in ‘playing a brass instrument’ went from an average rating of 4/10 to 8/10.
By the end of the programme, students most common rating when asked their ‘confidence playing as part of a musical group’ was 10/10.
