St Helens Youth Brass Band

St Helens Youth Brass Band

St Helens Youth Brass Band gives young people between the ages of 8 and 19 the opportunity to learn new skills, to show responsibility for their own development and to gain a sense of achievement and confidence from the performances they give. Our young people demonstrate what can be achieved with hard work, commitment and dedication. We pride ourselves in developing a great team spirit within a safe and fun environment where young faces glow with a sense of pride and achievement.

In its hay day, St Helens Youth Brass Band were 6 Times National Youth Brass Band Champions of Great Britain and it is our intention to steer them back to where they belong.  We are a registered charity and open to all young people. It is run by a committee of parent volunteers and is completely independent of any other organisation. Our inspirational Musical Director Jay Hall and his dedicated team take young people from complete beginners to accomplished musicians. Many of our players have auditioned to join the National Children’s Youth Brass Band, with many progressing to join championship section bands such as Black Dyke, Fodens, Wingates, Besses o’th’Barn and Rainford.  Jay himself is a former SHYBB trombone player, so his musical journey has taken him full circle… this in a nutshell is what it is all about! The band is well known on the international trail with successful tours of Paris, New York, Florence, Ohio and Saltsburg and most recently Valkenburg in the Netherlands. Our young players are great ambassadors for St Helens and we are so proud of how well they behave and conduct themselves.

We have an amazing organisation where young people of all abilities benefit hugely. Financially, we depend on band subs and fundraising, with our young players working hard every year to raise money through performing at concerts, or busking and bag packing in shopping centres. In addition, we are hugely grateful when local businesses or funding organisations make contributions which guarantee that many of the extras we provide are made possible, things like planning and holding new member workshop and recruitment days aimed at the youngest of players, or bringing in inspirational performers who in brass terms have hit the big time.

St Helens Youth Brass has 3 bands covering all levels and abilities, we rehearse every Saturday morning during term time in a safe environment provided at the United Reformed Church in St Helens and we are always pleased to welcome new members at all levels, from complete beginner’s right up to more accomplished players. If you’d like to come and see the good work we do, please call and make an appointment, we’d be delighted to welcome you. St Helens Youth Brass Band are proud to call the URC its home.