The City of Bradford Band is planning for the future with the news that they will be setting up a new competitive ensemble to help meet the growing demand from players wishing to become members of the ambitious organisation.

BD1 Brass

Their new BD1 Brass will become an integral part of the current set up, with the hope that it will provide an ideal stepping stone for developing players to eventually make the move up to the senior City of Bradford Band, which has just attained Championship Section status.

Ideal opportunity

However, as MD Lee Skipsey told 4BR, he also hopes it will provide an ideal opportunity for more established players to enjoy a competitive level of banding, without having to sacrifice other work and family commitments.

"We want to really develop a family ethos at City of Bradford — one that helps develop new talent as well as being flexible enough to keep established players actively involved in banding.

There will be close links between both bands, with Rob Westacott, Chris Lewis and myself leading the musical direction, whilst other senior players will also use their experience to help bring younger players on."

Postcode name

The new band takes its name from the Bradford postcode of the National Finalist’s headquarters, with BD1 Brass using rehearsal facilities that are being modernised opposite the current HQ.

It is also envisaged that BD1 Brass will hopefully make their competitive debuts at the Yorkshire Regional Championships in 2015.

Launch

"There is plenty of hard work being done to get things ready, with a good stock of instruments and music already in place, and with over a dozen players as keen as mustard to start playing," Lee said.

"We will officially be launching the band with our first rehearsal on 5th October, with the primary aim of making it to the starting line-up for the Fourth Section Area contest at Bradford next year.

We are determined to be there and already have a couple of concerts penciled in!"

The long term aim is to enable the City of Bradford organisation to flourish on as many different levels as possible in the futureLee Skipsey.

Inclusive

He added: "The long term aim is to enable the City of Bradford organisation to flourish on as many different levels as possible in the future.

We have an all inclusive ethos to anyone who is interested and wants to enjoy brass banding. If you can blow then we want to know!"