National Youth Band Championship
The National Youth Brass Band Championship of Great Britain is probably the oldest youth brass band event in the world and is by far the most prestigious banding event in the calendar for British youth bands.
The BFBB have managed the event for the last five years, the last three with the support of The Co-operative. The Championship has been a leading light in the enhancement of Youth Brass Banding, piloting many new ideas and developments to inspire young people to become a central part of local communities, as well as maintaing their interest in music. Consequently, the Championship has grown and now attracts over 40 bands from all parts of Great Britain. Bands travel from as far south as Cornwall and from Scotland in the north. This equates to around 2000 young players, whose ages span from 6 years to 19 years, all supported by family and friends on the day of the Championships.
At present the Championship is hosted at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) Manchester, a venue which reflects the stature of the event..
The BFBB recognises that the Championship is a premier event of the youth brass band movement, and there is no doubt that it is also a driving force in motivating young musicians. Unquestionably the Championship has a pivotal role in securing the future of the Brass Band movement and its cultural heritage.
The Championship has made massive strides within the last few years and has a number of exciting new developments planned for future events to attract even more young bands to participate in what is a truly fantastic event.
Gary Walczak
Youth Officer BFBB
May 2009.
