Making music in a brass band really is an amazing feeling. The GBBA is committed to encouraging young people to experience this wonderful lifestyle (let's face it, it's more than just a hobby!).
There are many opportunities for young people to play in brass ensembles throughout the region. Listed below are the youth initiatives from our member bands. Other performance opportunities, including local contests and recitals, are listed to the right.
A. W. Parker (Drybrook) Academy Band
The A. W. Parker (Drybrook) Academy Band has now been split into two slots. The beginners classes take place on Monday evenings from
6:30 - 7:30. The intermediate class runs on Fridays from 6:30 - 7:15. Both run during term-time only. The emphasis is on enjoying learning
and having fun. Instruments can be provided for players who do not have their own.
Contact: David Harding (Chairman)
Telephone: 07891 032057
Chalford Youth
The future of Chalford Band is well assured because we have a full complement of enthusiastic youngsters in Chalford Youth Band. They have
won a silver medal in the National Youth Brass Band Championships two years in a row. In 2006 Chalford Youth were runners-up in their
section of the National Championships. Players of all ages are drawn from a wide area of the Stroud district.
Contact: Bev Godwin
Cheltenham Silver Training Band
Cheltenham Silver Training Band has been running for many years and has successfully coached dozens of players both young and old. The band
practices at Ullenwood Court, Leckhampton, Cheltenham. It is split into 2 groups: Beginners, who practice on Mondays from 6.45 until 7.15pm,
and intermediate players who practice on Fridays from 6.30 until 7.30 pm.
Whether you are 6 or 60, Rob Folland, our Training Band MD will help you develop your playing skills - from your first blow right through to joining the senior band. Membership of the Training Band is free for children and instruments can be provided too. If you know nothing about music or brass instruments but you are keen to learn in a relaxed and friendly environment please contact us.
Contact: Rob Folland
Telephone: (01242) 261285
Cinderford
The goal of the academy is to provide an opportunity for young and old alike to enjoy, learn and develop their musical skills. Once
established the plan is to enable the band to undertake their own engagements, enter solo/quartet and band contests but firmly underpinned
with a focus on learning and fun.
The band will be led by Clive Lewis who is an accomplished musician. As well as a skilled performer, conductor and arranger, he has had many successful years of experience coaching and developing young (and older) players in the Forest of Dean. Importantly, we also want to work in-conjunction with local schools and parents, providing free tuition and instruments for any children interested, in order to enable them to progress to the senior band and possibly study for their Associated Board of Music exams which should in turn complement their school musical curriculum.
Contact: Clive Lewis
Telephone: (01594) 843966
Cirencester
Cirencester Training Band is conducted by Clemency Rubinstein and meets in Bingham House, Dyer Street, Cirencester on Friday evenings from
7:00pm to 8:00pm. It is open to beginners/learners of all ages.
Contact: Margaret Hartnell
Telephone: 01285 656662
Forest of Dean Area Youth Brass Band
The Forest of Dean Area Youth Brass Band, Gloucestershire Music's brass band for the Forest of Dean and surrounding areas, was launched in
October 2007 to help pave the way for brass players aged 19 and under who may not have much experience of brass bands into Glos Music's
premier youth brass band GYBB and local senior brass bands. A high standard of playing is reached by this dynamic young group who have
performed at Birmingham's Symphony Hall in the National Festival of Music of Youth, Cheltenham Town Hall for Youth Makes Music and the
Royal Forest of Dean Theatre, Coleford. Each Spring the band takes part in either the Gloucestershire Brass Band Association Entertainments
Contest, the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band Festival at Crosskeys or Music For Youth in Cwmbran.
FODAYBB meets from 12.00 - 1.00 on alternate Saturdays during term time at the Forest of Dean Music Centre, Lakers School Hall. Please feel free to come along and meet us!
Contact: Kristyann Symonds (Musical Director)
Telephone: (01594) 562778
Gloucester Youth (GYBB), Gloucester Training (GYTBB) and Gloucester Junior (GYJBB) Brass Bands
Gloucestershire Music in association with the GBBA offer the
opportunity for young brass and percussion players to perform at the highest level of youth music making.
The Junior Band is open to players of Grade 1 and 2 standard. The Training Band is open to all players of Grade 3 to 5 standard and the Youth Band is Grade 6+ (minimum age also applies). This progressive structure allows young people to enjoy making music as part of a County ensemble from an early standard. As the players develop, they are then given the opportunity to audition for the Youth Band.
Since its inception in March 2005 the Youth Band has enjoyed many rewarding courses and concerts, and has attended the 2006, 2007 & 2008 National Youth Brass Band Championships. The Bands meet on weekend courses throughout the academic year.
The GYBB, GYTBB & GYJBB are free to attend. Please click here for the 2009-2010 dates.
Click here for the GYBB's review of 2009 and a look forward to 2010.
Contact: Steven Legge (Musical Director/Head of Brass)
Telephone: (01452) 330300, 07952 684617
Lydbrook Training Band
The Lydbrook Training Band meets on Monday evenings from 6.30 p.m. - 8.30 p.m. in Lydbrook Band Room. The band consists of a mixture of
young people from Grade 1 to Grade 8, but they never turn anyone away.
A number of older bandsmen and women play in the Training Band and assist the young members with their musical development. They give a number of concerts during the year as well as competing in local competitions. The emphasis is on enjoyment, together with the opportunity to meet and perform with others of the same standard.
Their conductor and tutor is Robert Morgan, whose 50 years of experience with brass bands has seen him responsible for the development of dozens of young brass musicians in the area. If you are interested in joining them on a Monday evening you are sure of a warm welcome.
Contact: Robert Morgan (Conductor/Tutor)
Telephone: (01594) 860944 - home, (01594) 860789 - work
Address: Cheristow, Stowfield, Lydbrook, Glos. GL17 9PD.
Lydney Training Band
The Lydney Training Band practice on Monday evenings at 6.30 to 7.30 pm at the Bandroom, Swan Road (by the Swan Pub) in Lydney. The Band
prides itself on a friendly atmosphere whilst training members in the art of playing a brass instrument. Any standard of players are
welcome from the very beginners to those with greater experience. Age is no barrier as the band encourages all ages to come along and
enjoy themselves.
There are five tutors, all CRB checked, to cover all standards thereby ensuring a more individualised approach to rehearsal. Training towards Associated Board of Music grades is also encouraged - the tutor assigned to this area is Kerry Ford BMus IPD who is experienced in the training and development of aspiring musicians. The Band undertakes engagements in the locality under the conductor Kevin Ford. Instruments are provided for those who require them. We look forward to seeing you.
Contact: Kerry Ford
Telephone: (01594) 530886
Tewkesbury Town Training Band
Tewkesbury Town Band provides the opportunity for anyone to learn a brass instrument and enjoy making music as part of a brass band. The
Training Band consists of two bands providing players with the opportunity to join a band from the moment they start to learn if they wish,
as well as providing lessons where possible.
The Beginner Band meets on Sunday evenings from 5:30pm until 6pm. The Intermediate Band meets on Fridays from 7:20pm to 8:30pm and Sundays from 6pm until 7pm. The Bands rehearse at the Cotteswold Dairy Industrial Estate, GL20 8JE. The Training Band enjoys performing at many concerts throughout the year, including their own Cabaret Concert, Summer Camping Tour and Christmas Concert.
Contact: Helen Walters
Telephone: (01684) 291675