A new community based band in Halifax is starting to make great progress.

Local schools

The Halifax Community Brass Band in Yorkshire started in January with the aim of becoming collaboration between Halifax High School and one of its feeder primary schools in the local area.

And with 20 pupils from the High School and upwards of 10 pupils from the Mount Pellon Primary School, things have certainly got off to a positive start.

Wider opportunities

Pupils at Mount Pellon are tutored under the Wider Opportunities scheme run by the Calderdale Music Service, whilst the High School pupils are taught in 20-minute slots plus a regular half hour full band rehearsal and a weekly after-school rehearsal where they join forces with the primary pupils.

Demographic

However, it is the social demographic is what makes the project particularly interesting and exciting, as the majority of pupils (over 90%) are of Asian ethnicity.

The underlying theme of ‘Breaking down Cultural Barriers’ is working well, with a strong focus on encouraging more children to take up brass instruments.

Concerts have been performed to a growing audience of appreciative listeners and supporters with their next event taking place in July.

Enthusiastic

Spokesperson Tony Robinson who teaches at Halifax High School, told 4BR: "Both teachers at Halifax High School have their roots firmly in brass bands and therefore are very enthusiastic about the band. Teachers both at the high school and the primary school assist in helping the pupils in rehearsals and are even sitting learning to play as well!"

He added: "The Head Teacher at Halifax High School, Jackie Nellis has also got behind the venture 100 % and assisted in securing funding for brass instruments to get the band up and running.

The school has just recently taken delivery of 18 brand new instruments from John Packer, whilst parents are making new waistcoats and sourcing funding for ties for the band."

The potential benefits are enormous as this is a virtually untapped resource within the Asian/ethnic minority community in brass banding terms, and the enthusiasm and commitment the pupils have already shown is very encouragingTony Robinson

Long term

The initiative certainly has long terms aims and objectives too, as Tony Pointed out:

"Hopefully by cementing the links with the primary schools we will have a steady turnover of brass players coming through the ranks. Already we are identifying some very capable players, even though they have only been playing for a few months and they will be encouraged and given every opportunity to progress."

Benefits

He added: "The potential benefits are enormous as this is a virtually untapped resource within the Asian/ethnic minority community in brass banding terms, and the enthusiasm and commitment the pupils have already shown is very encouraging.

We are under no illusions as to how difficult projects like this are but feel that with the support network we currently have and links we are building it can only go from strength to strength."