Whole Class Ensemble Teaching (WCET) Brass - Extensive Advice For Students and Families
- Mark Glover
- Oct 12
- 13 min read
Updated: Nov 3
If you are reading this blog post, then welcome to my website, I am Mark Glover, the brass teacher / music teacher currently teaching at your child's school. You might also be reading this as a teacher or are involved with whole class instrumental teaching in a different school to those I teach in, maybe even with a different instrument family and I hope this post helps you as well.
Our lessons might have started already and students are now taking instruments home or the lessons might not have even started yet. Either way, this article will help you to understand what to expect and suggest ways that you can support from home.
ABOUT ME
You can find out more about me in the 'About Me' section here on my site but just so you know, I am a qualified music teacher (PGCE) and I have a degree in music from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Before working in my current role with The Entrust Staffordshire Music Service, I have been a classroom music teacher in a secondary school, a specialist music teacher in a special needs school, a head of music in a prestigious international school in Dubai and have held brass teaching positions in universities and schools in Singapore! In addition to my current teaching duties, I also play for the famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band (from the Brassed Off movie).....and no, the children will not be watching it in class.
Here is my YouTube channel should you wish to watch me performing.
As this article is extensive, I will list the contents for you because you might not need to read it all. Just click any of the titles below to skip to that section.
CONTENTS
Why Learn a Musical Instrument?
Besides the fact that learning a musical instrument is fun, it has many more educational benefits outside of music, all of which have been backed up by science. I often speak to adults who wish they had learnt a musical instrument as a child, so the opportunity is a valuable one. Some areas which I personally try and develop in children through my brass lessons are:
Social skills, team work, patience, discipline, coordination, positive belief and confidence.
There are so many ways a music lesson can help a child develop skills which they need in subjects which are often deemed to be 'more important' like maths and reading. Your child's music lesson with me will certainly help in these areas in ways which might not be obvious at first but over time I have seen how children demonstrate greater intelligence and academic abilities just as a result of having regular music lessons.
An Overview of the Project
For most children, learning a musical instrument is something they will remember for the rest of their lives, that just shows how powerful it is.
In the first lesson, classes are introduced to brass instruments and we discuss all the instrument families. We might watch some videos of brass instruments being played and discuss what it takes to be successful as a musician. Also, in the first lesson I will do an extended instrument demo for the class so they can witness and hear brass instruments being played up close. A bit like a mini concert.
For the first few weeks, each lesson is divided up into exercises or games designed to help with general musical skills but children are also playing their instruments right from the start. The games will continue each lesson, often involving singing or tasks with the class in a circle.
Lots of these activities are brilliant for the brain, for listening skills and team building. I want the class to be happy and have fun at the same time as learning new music specific language and new ideas.
Classes will be taught how to hold their instruments correctly and how to make a nice sound. In most cases, classes are learning to play the cornet or the trumpet but in some cases the trombone and even baritone or euphonium is available. I usually select who plays what instrument fairly randomly but I try not to give a large instrument out to someone who might be a bit small to manage it.
The main aim in the first few weeks is for classes to learn to play 3 notes (C, D and E). We might even do 5 notes (C, D E, F and G) if the class is picking it up quickly.
We then learn a simple melody (usually Hot Crossed Buns) from memory and practice it repeatedly, gradually getting better and better. Ask your child to show you.
I teach children that it is fine to not be able to play it perfectly straight away and we all learn at different speeds. Encouraging children to learn from mistakes and see mistakes as a journey to success is essential because they can apply that logic to all the different subjects in school.
I then start teaching the children to read rhythmic notation. I do this using some ideas from the Kodály method which is a widely used system especially designed to help children learn music. Use the following image with your child to help them remember the lengths (in beats) for each musical symbol.
Once we get a grasp of this, we start learning to read proper traditional musical notation and they can start learning some more simple tunes, which they can hopefully show you at home.
Learning musical notation is such a brilliant transferable skill. If a child finishes brass after one year and tries a different instrument, what they have learnt will still apply to the new instrument. When a child starts year 7, the chances are they will already be well set up for secondary school music lessons and will probably be a long way ahead of other children who have not had this opportunity.
From this point it really depends on the class and how well they have done. We will learn more songs using backing tracks on a website called - Charanga and will learn how to play higher pitches, develop our tongue speed and our flexibility.
My Expectations
Within a relatively short amount of time, I expect all children to be able to play 3 notes on their instrument. They can hold those notes as long notes as well as use their tongue to articulate notes repeatedly. With this, they can then play a range of 3 note melodies. By the end of the year, I expect pupils to be able to play at least 8 notes and read simple music confidently.
The main challenge for me as a teacher, is the behaviour of the class or individuals in the class. There is a fine balance, because I want classes to be confident and engaged, having fun and keen to get involved but sometimes if pupils are overly excited it can lead to disruptions.
Where pupils misbehave, do not follow instructions or disrupt the lesson, I rely on the schools behaviour policy to deal with this. A class where all pupils listen and follow instructions means that class will be more successful in every subject. If you know your child often causes a disruption in school, work with them at home and support the school with their methods for helping your child meet their own potential and not get in the way of others meeting theirs.
Challenges and How to Help
Despite all the positive reasons why learning a musical instrument is important, there will still be some pupils (and parents) who are not keen on the idea. Think of it this way, would you allow your child to never do any maths work in school, or never do any sports?
Music is just another subject and trusting in your child's school curriculum is important. The more you support it, the easier things will be and your child will learn to value new things and face challenges positively in their life. Despite this, there will still be some challenges so based on my experience, I will go through some here so you can see what to do in these cases.
Challenges - A child cannot make a sound
Probably around 3 or 4 in every class will suffer this issue but it is always fixed by me early on. Playing a brass instrument might feel a bit weird but it will do no damage or cause any pain providing pupils follow the instructions from me.
To make a sound, you just blow air through the mouthpiece, make your lips vibrate (like a buzz) and the sound will happen. Some children might need to tighten or loosen their lips or blow the air faster or slower. They might need to experiment a bit, because everyone has different faces and I love the fact that playing a brass instrument is a unique, personal experience for every child.
In cases where a child still cannot make a sound after a few lessons, I will find time to give those children some one to one intervention and that always sorts it out. So rest assured, if your child comes home saying 'I cannot make a sound' then I will already know this and plans will be put in place to get them on the right track.
Challenges - Giving up / negative thinking
Some children give up before they have even started or have been accidentally taught negative beliefs about something. If a parent has told the child they might not be very good on a brass instrument, then they are about to start a losing battle. I know how stubborn children can be (mine is 11 years old at time of writing) but the more positive we all are, the more successful we will be. This goes for children and adults alike so even if you think playing a brass instrument will be hard, don't say that to your child. And trust me, it really isn't hard 😃.
Challenges - Instrument too heavy to carry
When I was 10 years old, I walked out of school one day carrying a euphonium (in a large box) and my mom almost died. She had no idea what it was and was probably not happy about me bringing it home. But, my parents got on with it, they supported me and helped where needed with getting me to and from school (up a hill) with my instrument for my lesson. I was a typical kid, I loved playing football and had lots of things going on, but something about music just inspired me.
As mentioned earlier, I will try not to give a very small child a larger instrument but I am also aware that I want to get rid of silly stereotypes that might suggest that girls cannot play the trombone or large boys cannot play smaller instruments.
Your child needs to take their instrument home to practice on and need to bring it back into school for their lesson. Should you have a problem, then please contact the school to discuss this. There have been times where I can provide an instrument in school and one at home for children who are playing the euphonium or those who are genuinely struggling. Your child is being given an instrument to borrow for free with Entrust Staffordshire Music Service and this is not something all children have the opportunity to do, so please embrace it.
When I lived in Singapore and Dubai, a lot of children had 'helpers' (basically a maid) that was employed by the family to help with household jobs and babysitting. Most of these helpers lived in the family home. The amount of times I had children blame their maid for not bringing their brass instrument into school was shocking. So children will try and make every excuse under the sun, just help support them and encourage them to think about how fun their music lessons are when they moan about carrying their instrument.
Challenges - Sounds are too loud in class
Some children genuinely have sensitivities to loud noises, or just certain noises which they are not used to hearing. There is nothing for children to be afraid of providing that pupils are sensible with their instruments. They will be told not to make sounds close to someone's face or ears and any pupils not following this rule will be told to put their instrument away.
No classes will be encouraged to play loud. They will be taught how to make a pleasant sound, which should be warm and round and not aggressive. If your child is making extremely loud noises at home, please tell them that is not what they have been taught to do.
If your child wishes to wear ear plugs or ear defenders then this is fine. These are good - Auritech.
Challenges - Cannot practice at home
Some pupils are quick to tell me that they cannot practice at home because of their dog, or the new-born baby or the neighbours or the dad works nights or because their parents just do not allow it. Some children see it as homework and just hate the idea of doing anything school related at home. This is a shame of course and again, a lot of this can be sorted out if the parents have the right attitude towards school. Just because you perhaps didn't enjoy school, doesn't mean that your child has to feel the same.
Pupils should try and practice at least twice at home in-between lessons in school. They only need to practice for 5 or 10 minutes. Encourage them to do it at the same time each week so it becomes a routine.
They have/will have a 'brass routine' which they have been taught from memory, this should be the main thing they practice. Ask your child to show you their brass routine. Then they can practice any of the simple tunes they have learnt. At the bottom of this article you can find a downloadable pdf containing the notation for everything we do in lessons.
If in doubt, just contact your child's school and speak to someone, we will always try and help. In worst cases, if a child simply cannot practice at home then it will not stop their participation in class. Their instrument will just have to remain in school.
Challenges - The instrument isn't working or gets damaged
Some children worry about their instrument getting broken and having to pay for the damages. I have never had an experience of this. Even if an accident happened, providing the school were informed asap then there wouldn't be any problems. If an instrument isn't working properly, just return it to school. Don't attempt any garage tool box DIY.
Performance Opportunities
A big part of learning a musical instrument is performance. There is nothing like performing in front of an audience. It is exhilarating even if a little scary to start with but is one of the great ways for children to grow in confidence and learn how to face fears.
Classes learning an instrument will have some performance opportunities throughout the year. They might just stand up at the front of the class and play alone to everyone in the class. We might arrange for the class to perform to another class in school or even invite parents and guardians into school to watch a special concert.
Within the Entrust Staffordshire Music Service (and any music service in other locations) there will be opportunities to join a music group or ensemble. In Staffordshire, we have Blast Off groups which are for beginners and allows them to play in a group with similar aged pupils from other schools. Membership of music groups is free!
You can find out about music groups here - Music Groups | Entrust
Within the music service there are also WCETs concerts aimed at providing all the schools in an area to come together and perform. After about half a term, any child learning with me could attend a Blast Off ensemble. Just ask!
Continuation
After your child's whole class journey ends, it doesn't need to be the end of learning that instrument. Some children will have excelled and are ready to take a step forwards. Most WCET projects last for one academic year but in some schools it might just be for one term. After this, most students could easily start working towards a music grade exam on their instrument by having a small group or even individual lesson.
You could find a private teacher to visit your home or use one of the music service teachers. There would be a cost for this but there are also funding routes provided by charities like FOSYM or in some cases your child's school might pay for the lessons as part of a gifted and talented scheme.
Taking music exams is a great way to access GCSE or A-Level Music in older years and they look amazing on a university application. It could lead to a career in music or just a lifelong hobby so please do not underestimate the amazing opportunity that your child has right now.
Buying A Brass Practice Book (optional)
Some children pick up musical skills very naturally and end up feeling like the progress in lessons alone is not fast enough. While you can't really learn to play a brass instrument from watching YouTube videos it is entirely possible that your child might benefit from having a study book to use independently at home.
Should you feel your child is in this position then I recommend buying a book called TEAM BRASS. The link will show you where to buy it online.
If your child needs a music stand then either browse for a cheap one on AMAZON, have a look for a used one on Facebook Marketplace or even ask your child's school and I might be able to get one for you to borrow.
Buying Your Own Instrument (very optional)
In some cases, I have had parents ask about buying an instrument for their child. Maybe you want them to have one at home so they do not need to carry it to and from school or maybe you would just like to get them a special birthday or Christmas gift.
Remember, being part of WCET lessons means every child will get a free instrument to borrow. These instruments in some cases might be brand new. In other cases they will be used. The instruments and mouthpieces will always be clean and hygienic but still you might just like to get one for your child. Maybe they have a brother or sister who can use it when they get to the same age or your child might have taken to it and seem serious about carrying on for years.
You can also get plastic versions of brass instruments and this might be a cheaper way to provide an instrument for your child. Below are a few options should you want to look, they are the cheapest out there, also the lowest build quality but would be totally fine for beginners. These are all affiliate links.
If you wanted a better quality instrument please email me and I can let you have some better options.
Resources
Hot Crossed Buns backing track (4 bars intro).
Brass Notation PDF (safe to download)
Inspirational Brass Players (links to videos)
If you have any questions, please direct them first to your child's school. To get in touch with me please do so via this email address:
Thanks for reading and good luck! ❤
Mark Glover
12/10/25
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