Youth Brass Band
Musical Director : Eric Landon
The band was formed in 1994 as Rochdale Intermediate Brass Band, and became the Youth Band in 2000. The band rehearses once a week at Rochdale Music Centre. Over the past few years they have built up a reputation as an outstanding performing group, with some fine solo players, and a propensity for entertainment.
This talented group of musicians perform concerts regularly and have played at such venues as the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival hall and the Bridgewater Hall.
All members of the band are well travelled, having taken memorable holidays in Wales, France, Germany, Cornwall (as guests of the St. Keverne Youth Band) and in Devon.
The band continues to compete with great pride and much success at the Saddleworth Whit Friday Brass Band Quickstep Contests. This year the band gained 5 prizes and the title of Most Successful Youth Band. They also work closely with Springhill Hospice and the Rochdale Autism Group.
The band competes regularly in contests at national standard, and has won the title of National Youth Entertainment Champions of Great Britain in 2002, 2003 and won the entertainment first prize in 2004. In 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 the band regained the title of Youth Entertainment Champions of Great Britain.
They have also competed with regular success in the National Festival of Music For Youth and have won an Honours Certificate and three Outstanding Performance Awards.
Intermediate Brass Band
Musical Director : Steve Walsh
This band acts as a feeder for the Youth Brass Band and there is a certain amount of “crossover” with Youth Band members. As well as rehearsing at the Music Centre every week, they also undertake outside engagements, raising money for charity as well as band funds.
Every year, at Christmas, they play at Bury Market and Milnrow Carnival in the summer, as well as various garden parties throughout the year.
Rochdale Junior Brass Band
Musical Director : Hayley Walsh
The band was formed in 2002 forming part of Rochdale Music service’s “Policy For Youth”, where young instrumentalists are encouraged to support the Music Centre activities in the evenings and at weekends to compliment their school provision.
The children all come from different schools within the borough of Rochdale, which means the rehearsals are an ideal place for widening social skills as well as musical ones.
There are many “family” connections throughout the various Music Centre groups. Most players move on to the Intermediate Brass Band and some into the Youth Brass Band as their playing progresses.
Rehearsals are from 4.15 to 5.15pm every Friday during school term time, and the
bands warm-
The most popular instrument remains the cornet, but children are encouraged to try other brass instruments and many find they have a preference for the larger ones.
As well as local concerts, the band participates in the annual Music For Youth festival at both regional and national levels and in 2003 performed at the Schools Prom in the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Other annual events include the Christmas Cracker concert and Music Centre events such as Summer Proms and Carols By Candlelight as well as fund raisers, all of which give the children “performing experience” after all their hard work in rehearsals.
The Brass Bands