Youth Band

Our brand new CD ‘Reflection’ is due for release this Easter! It features our youth, beginner and junior band with three additional tracks from our reunion band made up of over 50 past members!

If you can’t wait until Easter, we have included some sneaky little previews below. Enjoy!

In the early afternoon we played at Llandudno bandstand which featured some of the most enthusiastic dancing we have ever seen!

We were then treated to a lovely Chippy Tea from Chish and Fips – no seagulls this time!

In the evening we performed at the Gloddaeth Church in Llandudno where we were met with a supportive crowd for our last concert in Wales

By Kai

Check out some more fantastic pictures from the day:

Follow Lions Youth Brass

The band is currently on tour in North Wales and all of the latest information can be found on social media – including pictures, live videos, and more.

There will be plenty of Facebook live videos, Instagram stories, and Tweets, as well as updates on this site.

We woke to the sound of a very loud, ear-piercing alarm. It seemed to be coming from Andrew’s Phone 🤔, at 7:00! It was not amicable; it was way too early for anyone.

After our exhilarating morning, we travelled to Bangor Cathedral. Here, we performed a chilling lunch time concert. Next, we ate lunch sat on the Cathedral grounds. Unfortunately for some, we didn’t realise that a colony of seagulls were circling us for dead meat. The seagulls seemed omniscient, understanding all our weak points. It made, for the very least, a very interesting and somewhat entertaining lunch.

Following this, we went off to the beach. After facing the dangers of the natural world, we were faced with new perils in the form of Jellyfish, hiding in the dark waters. This didn’t deter some brave or perhaps more accurately foolish members of the band facing the cold water.

Kai, Emily, Abbie, Amy, Alex, Tom, Jake and Leon all faced the water. Leon in particular seemed to be preparing for his upcoming audition for Baywatch.

After this, we headed back to our accommodation. The concert in the evening was at the local church. The church was tiny, but filled to the brink with our biggest audience to date. The humidity, high temperature and a group of 40 teenagers led to a lot of blood, sweat and tears as we battled through the concert.

We then headed back to the accommodation. The concert organisers were kind enough to prepare us a feast worthy of the Gods – thank you! We sat outside, eating and chatting. Watching the sunset on our fourth dasy!

By Andrew & Jake

Follow Lions Youth Brass

The band is currently on tour in North Wales and all of the latest information can be found on social media – including pictures, live videos, and more.

There will be plenty of Facebook live videos, Instagram stories, and Tweets, as well as updates on this site.

We woke up in time for breakfast at 9 and had a nice relaxed morning. Today was the first of two days of assessments, so we enjoyed chilling, playing games and having a chat.

After the assessments were done for the day, we had lunch and Jane announced that we were going to the beach for a couple hours. When we reached the beach, we set up for a traditional game of rounders, that lasted about an hour, with many people falling while trying to run in the sand. Kai ended up getting wet quite a few times when trying to catch people out. After rounders we all went down to the sea to take a dip. Jane and Katie then proclaimed that we weren’t allowed back on the coach if our shorts were wet. At this point a few of us were worried. Some people were soaked!

After we got back, some of us had a very quick shower to get rid of all the sand on our legs, and we had a lovely meal of chicken curry or sweet and sour chicken, followed by angel delight.

Tonight was the 4th concert of our trip, where we shared the stage with the Northop Silver Band, who are going to compete at the National Brass Band Championship at the Royal Albert hall later this year. It was a pleasure to perform with such an amazing band and their soloists were something for some of us to aspire to.

Quite a few of the girls also found Northop’s ‘’heartthrob’’, who Steve thought we had sneaked onto the coach when he counted an extra person.

After an enjoyable day we got back to where we were staying and all settled down for bed.

By Jakob, Bethan & Lily-Mae

Follow Lions Youth Brass

The band is currently on tour in North Wales and all of the latest information can be found on social media – including pictures, live videos, and more.

There will be plenty of Facebook live videos, Instagram stories, and Tweets, as well as updates on this site.

After an early wake-up, despite not having a concert all day, the day one member of the band had waited for for her whole life had arrived; her 18th birthday.Emily on flugel celebrates her birthday on tour every year, and what better way to start her day than with a cold shower and one of Derek’s special walks!

With the whole band in tow, some of which were still in their pyjamas, he took us down to the church in the village where we have a concert later in the week. As with Derek though, it was not quite the simple 7 minute walk (according to google maps) that it was meant to be.

We arrived back to a cooked breakfast and then spent the rest of the morning chilling, playing rounders and other games.

We even managed to get Steve involved in a massive game of cards against humanity, though it didn’t last very long (wonder why….).

At 2pm we had a roast chicken dinner and then set off for our evening concert in Mold.

The band played a great concert to an appreciative audience in a lovely church.

 

 

 

 

 

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Some of the band decided to play a few board games whilst assessments were taking place 🎲

A post shared by LionsYouthBrass (@lionsyouthbrass) on Jul 22, 2019 at 4:25am PDT

Particular highlights included Gabriels Oboe, Under the Boardwalk by Leanne, and it was a great first outing for Daya in The Holy Well.

After what felt like a long day, we got back to our accomodation and enjoyed some birthday cake, hot chocolate and biscuits before going to bed.

By Abbie and Emily

Follow Lions Youth Brass

The band is currently on tour in North Wales and all of the latest information can be found on social media – including pictures, live videos, and more.

There will be plenty of Facebook live videos, Instagram stories, and Tweets, as well as updates on this site.

So far, tour has gone really well.

We played two concerts yesterday; one at the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre in the afternoon, where the band played really well – debuting many new pieces and solos that have not been played by the band in a while, including Caruso – a flugel and cornet duet played by Emily and Emma and Live and Let Die – a soprano cornet solo played by Jake.

Of course, tour wouldn’t be tour without some classic LYB pieces, such as Sweet Gingerbread Man or Offenbach’s Can Can, so they featured as well.

Our second concert of the day was in Llandudno Town Hall. At this concert, LYB shared the stage with singer Clara Bloom, who was incredibly entertaining and an enjoyable watch.

We also had some good new pieces to play tonight – including ‘The Wind Beneath My Wings’ a trombone solo played by Oliver.

Our first day of tour 2019 was thoroughly enjoyable, yet very tiring. Two concerts down, six to go!

By Emily and Alex Miles

Follow Lions Youth Brass

The band is currently on tour in North Wales and all of the latest information can be found on social media – including pictures, live videos, and more.

There will be plenty of Facebook live videos, Instagram stories, and Tweets, as well as updates on this site.

The youth band has been working hard on its programme for the upcoming European Youth Brass Bands Championship, which is now only 77 days away!

As well as our regular rehearsals, most weekends have included additional practise time, ensuring we bring “Sanctuary” up to contest standard at the same time as our Nationals programme and concert repertoire.

Foden’s Band

In January, members of Foden’s Band led sectional workshops. It’s great to have such a high profile band as neighbours and we’re grateful to the players for their time.

The Band of the King’s Division

Today we welcomed Major Stuart Halliday and players from The Band of the King’s Division to Sandbach. Another fantastic opportunity to work with professional musicians.

On Sunday 2nd December, Lions Youth Brass will be hosting its 13th annual Slow Melody Competition.

This is a great chance for all members of Lions Youth Brass to showcase their skills. This year we welcome back Elizabeth Lawrence and Mareika Grey as our adjudicators with Fenella Haworth-Head as our piano accompanist. The last 12 years have been very successful with high participation from members and we’re hoping for the same again. Please see attached entry form with all details on.

Section times will be announced shortly after the closing date but will between 9.30am and 2pm.

This year we will be featuring a family section which will allow brothers and sisters to play together  

Please print off and return the entry form and money to any of the committee on a Tuesday night with the closing date being the 20th November.

If you have any questions about the event please email Charlotte, our contest organiser, directly at charlottebirch1996@gmail.com

Rules

Section 1: 8 years and under (Beginner Band)
Section 2: 9 years and over (Beginner Band)
Section 3: 11 years and under (Junior Band)
Section 4: 12 years over (Junior Band)
Section 5: 13 years and under (Youth Band)
Section 6: 14 and 15 years of age (Youth Band)
Section 7: 16 years and over (Youth Band)
Section 8: Group; 2 or more players (all bands)
Section 9: Family section; A chance for family members to play together (all bands)

Section 10: Open Section – Non-Brass instrument
Section 11: The Challenge (Youth Band – Any age)

Prizes

Sections 1-9 & 11 – 1st Place Trophy and Certificate, 2nd Place Certificate, 3rd Place Certificate
and a Merit Certificate.

Section 10 – Best Beginner Band player, Best Junior Band player, Best Youth Band player
Rules

The contest is open to all members of Lions Youth Brass. The draw will be made in advance and all
players must report to Charlotte who will be sat in the foyer of the Maxwell Davies Centre on the
day. Please arrive no later than 10 minutes before the start of your section, even if you’re drawn
last. The first section is to start at 9.30 am and all competitors will be informed of their section
start time before the event (to be announced no later than 29th November). Results will be
announced and awarded at the end of each section.

Maximum performance time for all sections is approximately five minutes (not including warm-up
or tuning). Players will be allowed to warm up in the Rigby Block where the Junior Band rehearse.
Piano accompaniment or backing disc may be used which must be stated on the entry form. Fenella
Haworth-Head can accompany performances on piano for £5. Please hand in your entry form well
in advance to make sure Charlotte can arrange a rehearsal time on Sunday 18th November for
you. The player must leave their accompaniment with Fenella on the day of the rehearsal.

An unmarked copy of the chosen piece must be provided for the adjudicator on the day (A
photocopy is acceptable and copying facilities will be available on the day). Please do not hand
this in before the day. Each player will receive an adjudicators report.

No entry will be accepted without an entry fee. If paying by cheque, please make this payable to
Lions Youth Brass. You may hand your entry in on a Tuesday night no later than the 20th
November. If there are any problems or questions, please contact Charlotte, the contest
organiser, directly at charlottebirch1996@gmail.com

The most important rule is to have fun! We all come to Lions because we love playing music,
this contest is about showing our friends, family and tutors what we can do whilst supporting our fellow players at the same time.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the movies as some of the county’s top musicians take you on a tour of the silver screen.