Youth Band – Shepherd Brass Band

April 15, 2024April 15, 2024

Youth band strikes Gold in Cheltenham

On March 23rd, the Youth Band headed off to Cheltenham where they took part in the National Youth Championships of Great Britain. They competed in the Yamaha Performance Section where they faced a stiff challenge from well established bands like Elland Training Band and Pembrokeshire Music Service. They performed really well and played with confidence. Those of us who were unable to get to the performance on the day were able to watch the live stream of the contest on the WOBPlay platform and the recording will be available there should you wish to catch up.

The band were unlucky not to be in the prizes on the day, but came away with a Gold Award with the judges saying their performance was “based on the most solid of banding basics”.

A solid result and a really great performance. Well done.

February 16, 2023February 16, 2023

The tour continues…

Last night (15th February) the Youth Band went out from their hotel for a look round Disneyland Paris before heading back for food.

The band in front of their hotel. — The band at their Hotel.

After a long overnight drive down from York and an early morning ferry ride, the order of the day was Pizza and an early night. You do wonder how much sleep they got though!

Pizzas for the band — That’s the basses sorted for their tea then…

Today saw our Youth Band heading into Paris where they first went to explore Sacré Coeur before heading over to play in the Jardin du Luxembourg which is on the edge of the Latin Quarter. The park boats a spectacular bandstand which sees a variety of musical performances through the year. This time round, the sounds of Yorkshire Brass added to the atmosphere.

Check out these links to see the band performing in the Jardin du Luxembourg.

February 15, 2023February 15, 2023

Youth Band head for France

Youth Band Ready or the Off — Youth Band all ready to set off.

The Shepherd Group Youth Brass Band are off on tour again. They all congregated at the bandroom at midnight on Valentines Day and boarded a coach heading for France. They arrived in Dover in the early hours of February 15th and then headed off to Calais.

When The Boat Comes In? — When the boat comes in…

The band will spend the 15th recovering from he overnight journey before heading off to play in two amazing locations. They will play in Le Jardin du Luxembourg on February 16th before heading to play on the main stage at Disneyland Paris on the 17th. Following that is the long journey back before the member os of the Senior Band accompanying them take the stage with Black Dyke Band on the 19th.

Keep an eye on the website for more updates on the concerts and what the players get up ti in their downtime!

Youth band players watch a clown — Is Craig still working on the boats?

Players stand on deck with the White Cliffs behind them. — Au revoir Dover!

Players on deck en route for Calais. — We’re on our way!

Players brave the cold for a selfie. — Bit cool for selfies!

Richard and some of the players looking at a model of the ferry. — I wonder if I could dock that at Naburn?

This trip is a highlight of the Youth Band calendar. We try to head out on a concert tour every year, it gives the players the chance of performing on prestigious stages and broadens their horizons. If you have children who would like to learn to play a brass instrument, then please reach out to us; contact details are available in the links above.

December 12, 2022December 12, 2022

Youth Band “Lights Up” Selby Abbey

Light Up A Life is an event our bands have been proud to be part of for many years in York. This year is no different and Sunday saw our Youth Band heading off to Selby Abbey where they performed to a packed audience in aid of St Leonards Hospice. This really is one of the most important performances of the year for the Youth Band and they were superb as they always are.

March 13, 2022May 9, 2022

Joint Concert Success

What a fantastic night with both our Senior and Youth bands performing at the brand new York St John University Creative Centre. The Youth band ran out their pieces ready for Music for Youth Regional Festival, whilst Seniors previewed Wilfred Heaton’s ‘Contest Music’ in preparation for next weeks North of England Brass Band Championships. We closed the concert with a massed band rendition of the Ukrainian State Anthem, which received a poignant and unanimous standing ovation. A great evening of brass and solidarity!