Brass Bands Wales/Bandiau Pres Cymru, hosted a special online youth seminar on the weekend where delegates were able to find to find out more about examples of the inspirational work taking place across the country, as well as more about current funding opportunities.

Band presentations were made by Abertillery, Goodwick and Beaumaris organisations — revealing the different ways in which they have approached the crucial challenge long term investment in youth development. Further information was also provided about current funding opportunities.

Bespoke approaches

All three bands have taken bespoke approaches to suit their needs, although all were underpinned by the essential aim of long term sustainability in youth recruitment and development.

The presentation by Abertillery gave details of their ambitious plans for a Music Academy & Community Hub in the heart of their south east Wales valleys town.
Substantial progress has already been made, with the aim of making lasting links to its Gwent Music Service, schools and other local brass bands.

Their spokesperson told the meeting: "This is about the longevity of Abertillery Band and the benefit of Welsh banding. Enhancing links with the local community can only be a good thing and we have already made a substantial impact."

Pathway

Due to its geographical location in the west of Wales, Goodwick has implemented a different approach to help boost an organisational set-up that includes a well-established pathway from learners to its senior band.

Covid-19 had seen a reduction in overall numbers of young players coming through their ranks, but the band has initiated a proactive approach and strategies to entice players back.

Their spokesperson said: "We have a strong relationship with our local community and a good foundation from which to work, but it has been affected by Covid-19 over the last two years.

We are now working hard to entice the youngsters back and catering for the choices they want to make."

Boosted success

Beaumaris meanwhile is also taking a proactive approach, with their recent victory at the Welsh Area contest boosted by 11 players from their youth set up contributing to the senior band's success.

They also employ a well developed 'feeder' system that starts with a Beginners Class and leads through an intermediate and youth band to the senior band.

The organisation has also been keen to become even more inclusive with the establishment of a LSW Band (Last Summer Wind) which aims to bring in parents and family members to encourage them to take up the brass band hobby.

"It's been a challenging time for everyone,"their spokesperson said. "But determination and the desire to make music a central part of community life pushes us on. We want to encourage everyone to be a part of our set-up — and we are always asking people to bring a friend!"

the really good news is that this seminar showed that not only are there individual examples of proactive work being undertakenAndrew Jones

Encouraged

At the end of the seminar, Brass Bands Wales / Bandiau Pres Cymru Chairperson Andrew Jones said that he was encouraged that other bands had indicated that they were now undertaking work to establish youth development strategies.

"The forthcoming announcement of the establishment of the nationwide Welsh Music Service is something which we are all eagerly awaiting. In addition, the links to funding bodies such as Ty Cerdd now enables bands to be more inventive with their musical aims.

However, the really good news is that this seminar showed that not only are there individual examples of proactive work being undertaken but there is an understanding that only by working together will long term investment in youth bring the benefits that we all want."