The Shepherd Group Youth Band was initially set up because the number of players in the Brass Academy had become so large that we simply needed to start a new ensemble to accommodate all of our young talent. The band is now approaching its tenth year and has enjoyed many concert and contest successes.
The band has been designed to give those players of around Grade 3 standard and above in the Brass Academy the chance to experience more advanced music and to develop into first class musicians before moving up the ranks into the Concert Band and Senior Band.
Having seen the development of successful Youth Bands in other Brass Band Organisations and their contribution to the top levels of musicianship within the movement we are optimistic that members of our Youth Band will soon be competing amongst the very best.
The band have enjoyed a five year winning streak, attaining podium places at each competitive engagement they have taken part in, including ‘Audience Award’ – Brassfactor Holmfirth 2019, ‘Third Place’ – Ripon Entertainment Contest 2019, and ‘Best Unregistered Band’ – Easingwold March Contest.
During 2020 the band were working exceptionally hard to compete in the Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. This would have been their first appearance at the contest however, due to Covid-19, the event had to be cancelled. Below is the band performing a run out of the set test piece ‘Saint-Saens Variations’ by Philip Sparke.
The Youth Band meets every Monday night from 7:30pm to 9:00pm at the HiBay Theatre on the Portakabin™ site in York.
To find out more about joining our Youth Band please view our VACANCIES page.
