WEST LANCASHIRE YOUTH BRASS BAND
ABOUT WLYBB
In 2007 Skelmersdale Prize Band were extremely proud to announce the development of a youth band. The West Lancashire Youth Brass Band (WLYBB) under Musical Director Georgina Roberts aims to train and encourage youngsters in the area to learn to play a brass instrument.
The band rehearses from 7:00 to 8:30 every Tuesday and also do a brass workshop on the first Saturday in every month to further develop the abilities of the young players.
Throughout 2010 WLYBB will be aiming to encourage more young children to learn to play a brass instrument, and the band will be partaking in many concerts and events.
Any new players are extremely welcome to come down to rehearsals, regardless of age or ability. Tutors are available to help within rehearsals and also to give individual tutelage.
For any more information please feel free to email the band on:
Skelmersdaleprizeband@hotmail.co.uk
Or alternatively call the band room on:
01695 722556
2009
Slow Melody
Every year, the budding brass-players have the opportunity to perform, not just in an ensemble, but as a soloist in the Slow Melody Contest. Members of the band and other youngsters play a slow melody in competition with children of their age. Mr.John Doyle adjudicated in both 2008 and 2009 and gave the youngsters lots of positive feedback. The winners have the chance to perform their slow melody at a Gala Concert. We are all very much looking forward to the next competition in March 2010.
Socialising
We're not just about playing music. WLYBB is a great place to socialise. Our trips out have included bowling and lazer quest, the cinema and seeing Foden's band in concert.
Contests
An aim for the band was to take part in a brass band contest to provide a good experience and a competitive atmosphere. The National Youth Brass Band Championships at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester gave us this opportunity. Although there were no prizes up for grabs, we received useful comments from the adjudicators which will help us to improve.
The St. Helen's Hymn and March Contest was the first contest which allowed us to be adjudicated for prizes. We played in the same competition as Championship section bands, making it near-impossible for us to be placed in the prizes. But, we played excellently and received a £100 bursary from the event organisers for doing so.
Clarence House
We were very proud to be invited to play at Clarence House in front of HRH The Prince of Wales at the Business in the Community Awards 2009. The whole event was sponsored by the Co-op. The five-hour coach trip down to London was both tiring and exciting, especially after waking up at six in the morning. Neverthless, the band waded through the busy London traffic and arrived only 45 minutes late. We performed for an hour in front of HRH, business men and women, entrepreneurs and celebrities like Julian Smith and Shaun Smith (Saxophonist and Vocalist from Britain's Got Talent), as well as the hilarious Omid Djalili. Our time in London and especially with Prince Charles was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Moving Up!
We welcomed new players from Birch Green Brass Band and are proud that several of our youngsters are rehearsing with the senior band. Some members of WLYBB have now joined the senior band and are enjoying performing at concerts and contests with them. Well Done to all!