*
banner

New youth venture spearheads participation, inspiration and enjoyment

An exciting new initiative spearheaded by Sam Harrison of Elland Youth Band aims to bring a different approach to showcasing youth band musical talent.

Harrison
  Sam Harrison hopes the event will showcase the importance of participation, inspiration and enjoyment in youth banding...

An exciting new youth band venture is being spearheaded next month by the award winning Elland Silver Youth Band.

Following the cancellation of the Action Research Championships, the organisation has decided to promote its own non-competitive youth brass band festival, aimed at providing ensembles with the opportunity to showcase their performance talents at an outstanding venue.

Six ensembles

The Halifax Youth Brass Band Festival will be held on Saturday 9th February at Halifax Minster (HX1 1QL) and will see six junior and youth ensembles each perform a 20-minute programme, culminating a massed band finale to round off the day.

Those taking part are Elland Silver Youth & Training Bands, Wardle Junior Band from Rochdale, HD9 Youth Band from Huddersfield and the Red Admiral Youth Band from Mawdesley.

It will start at 2.00pm and will finish at around 5.30pm.

Participation, inspiration and enjoyment

The festival is being jointly organised jointly Samantha Harrison, MD of Elland Silver Youth & Training bands and Canon Hilary Barber from Halifax Minster.

"We want to provide an event which brings young people from different bands together to perform, watch and listen to each other,"Sam told 4BR.

"Halifax Minster is a wonderful venue, with excellent acoustics, and was keen to help promote a youth initiative. It's an exciting new venture for us and a first for the Minster.

We also hope we can now link up with others to add to the event and bring an ever greater emphasis on participation, inspiration and enjoyment — the core elements that we all believe are essential for encouraging the development of youth players in community bands."

We hope we link up with others to add to the event and bring an ever greater emphasis on participation, inspiration and enjoyment — the core elements that we all believe are essential for encouraging the development of youth playersSam Harrison

Tickets:

Tickets for the event will be £8 and FREE to under 16's and can be purchased in ordered in advance from Kathleen Harrison on 01484 717126 or directly from Halifax Minster or online at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/halifax-youth-brass-band-festival-tickets-54972806143?aff=efbeventtix&fbclid=IwAR08Qlv-ubvCuRRKj5NyPY8dsvVHgiP5F8G7boe88PZXWZJdEV6xuC4tVQA

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


No European Championship in England in 2028

January 24 • A difficult funding landscape sees BBE withdraw from hosting the European Championship in Birmingham in 2028


Van looy

Van Looy ready for Bourgeois challenge

January 23 • The Belgian euphonium star will showcase one of the most fearsome concertos for the instrument at the RNCM Festival with Welsh Champion, Tredegar.


Concord Brass Band

4BR Friday interview with Concord Brass Band

January 22 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to Steffen Maersk of the Danish National Champion as they get ready for their RNCM International Brass Band Festival debuts this weekend.


Meadeuphs

Euph and baritone prelude to RNCM Festival

January 22 • The RNCM Euphonium & Baritone Ensemble will provide the musical aperitif for the weekend of concert performances and discussions in Manchester.


Regent Hall Concerts - The January Band

Friday 23 January • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Cambrian Brass

January 24 • We are a friendly, inclusive and hard-working brass band, welcoming players of all ages and abilities. We are particularly keen to fill our Soprano Cornet, Flugelhorn and EEb Bass positions.


Newtown Silver Band

January 24 • Newtown Silver Band are recruiting a Musical Director. We seek a leader with brass band experience who can motivate and develop players. A charismatic individual who can shape and deliver concert programmes to be enjoyed by both players and audience.


Newtown Silver Band

January 24 • Newtown Silver Band invites applications for the position of Musical Director.. The band rehearse every Thursday evening from 1930 - 2130 . The Musical Director will take a leadership role working with the senior band and will liaise with the training ban


Andy Wareham

BMus (Hons), MMus (Hons)
Conductor, Composer, Brass Tutor, Musicologist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd