The Sandbach based Lions Youth Brass will celebrate 35 years of inspirational music making next month with a special concert featuring current and former members of the band.

Started by a group of parents who wanted to provide an opportunity for their children to make music together, they quickly gained support from local Lions Clubs — and the rest as they say, is history.

Three levels

The organisation has since grown to support three levels of brass bands, in the process reaching thousands of children and instilling a love for music and building lifelong friendships.

With regular concerts, often supporting the charitable causes of the local Lions clubs, as well as competition successes at national level and annual tours around the UK and Europe, the band has become well-known and hugely respected.

Invitation

The band are therefore inviting former players (from any point during the last 35 years) to create a special 'Reunion Band' for a concert on Saturday 23rd November.

Former players are also invited to request their favourite pieces which will be performed in the concert.

Musical Director Ian Raisbeck told 4BR: "Celebrating 35 years is a huge achievement. I was lucky enough to play in the band as a teenager, and then to be asked to direct the band a couple of years ago.

It therefore holds a special place for me and I'm sure in the memories of so many other people, so I hope we get a great turn out of alumni!

It therefore holds a special place for me and I'm sure in the memories of so many other people, so I hope we get a great turn out of alumni!Ian Raisbeck

Get in touch

If you are a former member, and would like to be involved, you can contact the band on facebook, or by emailing lionsyouthbrass@yahoo.co.uk

The concert will begin at 6.00pm at Sandbach School Theatre, and will also feature the three current Lions Bands (including a reprise of the Youth Band's 'Youth Brass in Concert' programme performed the previous weekend in Gateshead).