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 up to Grade 2 standard. The Intermediate Band is open to all players of Grade 3 to 5 standard and the Youth Band is Grade 6+ (secondary school pupils and above). 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 and 2009 National Youth Brass Band Championships, winning the Intermediate Championship in 2009.

The Bands meet on weekend courses throughout the academic year.

Download the document below to find out about the GYBB rehearsal and performance dates in Spring 2012, including the ' Music for Youth Regional Festival' and the 'Youth Makes Music Regional Festival'.

Gloucestershire Music and the GBBA have recently released an open letter to GBBA Members and the wider public, summarising the work we have carried out in partnership over the last five years. Please feel free to take a look...

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.

Website: www.drybrookband.co.uk

Contact: David Harding (Secretary)
Telephone: 07891 032057
Address: 41 Hollywell Road, Mitcheldean, Glos. GL17 0DL.

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.

Website: www.chalfordband.co.uk

Contact: Bev Godwin

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.

Website: www.cheltenhamband.co.uk

Contact: Rob Folland
Telephone: (01242) 261285

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.

Website: www.cinderfordbrassband.co.uk

Contact: Clive Lewis
Telephone: (01594) 843966

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.

Website: www.cirencester-band.co.uk

Contact: Margaret Hartnell
Telephone: (01285) 656662

The Forest of Dean Area Youth Brass band is directed by Kristyann Symonds (Director, KixMusic) not only for her own students but for all young brass and percussion players from the Forest of Dean and surrounding areas, irrespective of their age or current standard. The idea of the band is to integrate the young players into a large group to assist the development of ensemble and listening skills and to broaden repertoire and performance opportunities as many youngsters currently study individually either at school or with a private teacher. More advanced members of the band often represent Forest of Dean Area Youth Brass Band at solo and duet competitions and on occasion the band enters ensemble competitions. The band has 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. Concerts are given in the community and GCSE and A Level solo performances are accommodated for any student who would like a brass band or brass ensemble accompaniment.

Brass and percussion players who are not KixMusic students are most welcome to join the band who rehearse once or twice a term on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Please email Kristyann if you would like more details about the band. All staff and helpers have full enhanced disclosure.

Contact: Kristyann Symonds (Musical Director)
Telephone: (01594) 562778

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.

Website: www.lydbrookband.co.uk

Contact: Robert Morgan (Conductor/Tutor)
Telephone: (01594) 860944 - home, (01594) 860789 - work
Address: Cheristow, Stowfield, Lydbrook, Glos. GL17 9PD.

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.

Website: www.lydneyband.co.uk

Contact: Kerry Ford (Secretary)
Telephone: (01594) 530886
Address: Westwood, Sandy Lane, Hewelsfield, Nr Lydney, Glos. GL15 6UX

PolySteel Youth Band (PYB) is a community youth brass band, offering young aspiring brass instrumentalists access to high quality tutors, conductors, together with opportunities to perform with the band at prestigious and fun concerts, all in a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere.

As of January 2012, we now rehearse on a weekly basis on Tuesday evenings from 6:15-8:00pm at The Pavillions, just off J11, M5 nr ASDA in Cheltenham.

If you are aged up to 19 years and play brass and/or percussion, then PolySteel Youth Band (PYB) is the band for you to extend your playing experience, technique and social network of brass-playing friends in your age group. We have no limit on number of players in any section.

PYB is in place to extend the playing techniques and capabilities of its members for their benefit and ultimately of all the musical organisations that our members play for, currently and in the future; it's all about raising the level of brass playing for the youth to benefit the individuals and to benefit all, including the other bands our members play for.

Please come along and see what it is all about – you are sure of a friendly welcome.

Website: polysteel-youth-band.webs.com | Visit our Facebook page | Follow @PolySteelYouth

Contact: Adrian Jowett
Telephone: 07806 092010

Contact: Neil Crowe
Telephone: 07748 188571

Our Musical Director: Chris Howley

A Youth Band based in North Somerset.

Website: www.portisheadtownband.co.uk

Contact: Kate Dyer (Secretary)
Telephone: 07757 401371

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.

Website: www.tewkesburytownband.co.uk

Contact: Helen Walters
Telephone: (01684) 291675