*
banner

Musical unity brings North West youth together

The Lions Youth, Macclesfield Youth, Stockport Schools and Poynton Youth Bands have joined forces to ensure their players are kept inspired.

Unity
  The project has already been a great success

Over 100 aspiring musicians from four of the North West's leading youth brass bands have joined together for a new online collaboration.

'Unity Virtual Brass Project' sees Lions Youth, Macclesfield Youth, Stockport Schools and Poynton Youth Bands pool their skills and resources to set up an 8-week programme of workshops and masterclasses to be delivered by a range of experts via the online Zoom platform.

Support

The bands have been unable to meet since March, and concerned about the negative impact of this prolonged break on enthusiastic young players, the organisations joined forces to support each other and create some fantastic opportunities.

The recent launch saw Philip Harper and tutors from Cory Band lead the way, with further events seeing masterclasses by Russell Gray, percussion expert Andrea Vogler, plus workshops with leading instrumentalists from Foden's, Brighouse & Rastrick and Fairey Bands.

We had a number of meetings together and with the support of our fantastic admin teams we've now created something really positiveNigel Birch

Keeping momentum

Nigel Birch from Lions Youth Band told 4BR: "We're extremely lucky to have four very successful youth bands in our area, but since the pandemic has paused rehearsals we have all found it difficult to maintain momentum.

The MDs, Louise Renshaw, Michael Eccles, Iain McKnight and I realised that we were each experiencing the same issues which were very difficult to overcome on our own.

We had a number of meetings together and with the support of our fantastic admin teams we've now created something really positive.

Working hard

He added: "The players are working towards producing some videos and we are already talking about how we might continue with future collaborations post lockdown."

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    


Bandsafe

BBE BOPA renewed by Department of Education

July 5 • New safeguarding measures have come into place with BBE's BOPA renewed to give bands essential help.


Hands

Blissful appointment at Carlton Brass

July 5 • Matt Ludford-King has been appointed as the new MD at Carlton Brass as they look towards their Cheltenham National Finals appearance.


Smith and Grezzy

Smith & Grezzy: Big Chat podcast

July 5 • The latest episode is entitled 'Entertainment Post Bag and Talking with Dinosaurs'...


roal

Royal seal of approval for Scottish banding

July 5 • Scottish banding has been playing its part in welcoming the royals on their latest visit to the nation.


Brass Bands England - Brass Band Week

Saturday 5 July • Nation wide


Besses Boys' Band - Besses Boys' Band Summer Concert

Saturday 5 July • The Derby High School, Radcliffe Rd, Bury BL9 9NH


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band - Summer Concert

Sunday 6 July • Community Church Putney, Werter Road. SW15 2LL


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


Concert Brass Poynton

July 4 • Concert Brass Poynton: No Contesting - Not a learners Band. Rehearse on Wednesday Evenings between 8.00 to 10.00pm (short comfort break). We seek a front row cornet and a Tenor Horn and A Tenor Trombone and Bass Trom too..


Ocean Brass

July 4 • Ocean Brass are inviting applications for a kit player, as we prepare for an exciting schedule of concerts and contests in the second section through 2025 and beyond! We rehearse Thursdays 8pm-10pm, Banister Park Bowls Club, Southampton, SO50 9HT


Haverhill Silver Band

July 3 • Haverhill Silver Band (championship section) seeks a PRINCIPAL CORNET. This is a superb opportunity to lead East Anglia's premier brass band on the concert and contest stage (including the Senior Cup and Whit Friday).


Duncan Wilson

Bmus(hons), LGSMD
Conductor, Adjudicator (member AoBBA)


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd