An exciting youth initiative between the Leyland Band, Blackpool Music Education Hub, the National Association of Brass Band Conductors and Yamaha has been announced.

Inspirational support

The North West Youth Brass Band (NWYBB) will be launched in September, with a spokesperson telling 4BR that it will be their mission to provide, ‘…inspirational support and unique opportunities for exceptionally gifted young brass and percussion instrumentalists in order to support their personal aspirations and, to nurture the next generation of high quality professional musicians.’

Young players between the ages of 11 and 21 wishing to join the new band will need to be at least equivalent to Grade 5 in standard and undertake an audition.

Monthly

It is anticipated that the band will meet on a monthly basis for rehearsals and workshops directed by Leyland Band instrumental specialists, to enable the players to perform new genres of music as well as existing brass band repertoire.

Encourage

The spokesperson told 4BR: "It is hoped that by creating an exciting new youth band in the North West of England, it will provide a thorough musical education for young instrumentalists as well as performance opportunities at a higher level.

We want to encourage more players to learn brass and percussion instruments, extend the teaching and conducting skills of tutors and instrumental specialists and expand existing audiences.

Hopefully it will also lead to a lasting legacy and build on the heritage of the brass band movement."

4BR was also informed that although the new band members will be expected to make every effort to attend the scheduled rehearsals and events, players will also be encouraged to fully support their existing musical commitments elsewhere.

Exciting development

Leyland Band Chairman Iain McKnight told 4BR: "This initiative will endorse Leyland’s commitment to the education of young brass players and provides an exciting development to the work of our band.

We see ourselves as being at the heart of quality music making in the North West, and it gives me huge pride to be able to lend the support of our talented tutors to this exciting initiative."

Echo

Those sentiments were echoed by Andrew White, Music Advisor to Blackpool Music Service and Chairman of the National Association of Brass Band Conductors.

"This partnership, which will also launch the Blackpool Brass Band Academy, will allow talented players extensive opportunities to perform existing and new music in prestigious venues, to be taught by inspirational musicians and to fully appreciate the skills, knowledge and understanding required to become a successful musician.

The NABBC has supported young conductors for many decades including numerous master classes in 2103/14. If successful brass band conductors are to continue to come from within our movement it is essential that support is extended beyond its present provision.

We are therefore delighted to provide experienced conductors, composers and consultants who will offer their wealth knowledge from various musical genres."

It is hoped that by creating an exciting new youth band in the North West of England, it will provide a thorough musical education for young instrumentalists as well as performance opportunities at a higher levelspokesperson

Delighted

Yamaha Music Europe Product Manager Stephen Adcock, was also delighted to be associated with the venture: "Yamaha have successfully worked with the Leyland Band and the NABBC in the recent past and their support in this initiative will be very much appreciated.

We are delighted to extend our support for this new project and look forward to working closely with the band, Blackpool Music Service and the NABBC to help develop the opportunities on offer to young brass musicians in the North West."

Further information

Information about the new North West Youth Brass Band and the auditions at Blackpool Music Centre, Cherry Tree Road, Blackpool, FY4 4PH on Sunday 14th September can be found at: www.leylandband.co.uk or www.blackpoolmusicservice.co.uk or by contacting Andrew White on 07973 727881 or Iain McKnight on 07929 857475.