Irvine and Dreghorn Brass Band are proud to announce their first ever Youth Open Day. This will take place in their band hall at the Woodlands Pavillion, Woodlands Avenue, Irvine on Sunday 30 September between 3-5pm.

The band invite any interested young person to come along on the day with family and friends to have an opportunity to listen to some of our players, have a chat over a coffee or juice with some of our members and get the opportunity to try out a variety of our brand new, Big Lottery funded brass and percussion instruments.

Youth Co-ordinator Carrie Boax commented; ‘This is an exciting new venture for our band. We want to generate more interest in the brass band world and give young people in the local community a fabulous opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument. Music making helps to develop young people’s skill and makes them confident individuals and effective contributors.’

She continued: ‘We already have a great team of youngsters within our Wednesday night youth band. With the support of our local council, we hope to enhance the current provision of brass tuition available in the area and give current brass players the chance to play in a brass band set up.’

‘With the help of qualified instructors including our conductor John Boax (who is himself an instrumental instructor in East Ayrshire) and a team of willing volunteers, we hope to start teaching youngsters who are keen to play a brass or percussion instrument. We hope that the Big Lottery funding received for this initiative will mean Sunday afternoons and Wednesday nights at the Woodlands Pavilion will indeed be a very noisy place to be!’

Band conductor John commented, ‘It’s encouraging to see so many positive things happening at the band. We wish to secure the future of Irvine and Dreghorn Brass Band. A youth band and the teaching of new players is, I believe, the best way to ensure this successful future’.

Over the past year, the youth band has had some fabulous opportunities. They have performed at our bi- annual concerts, and have showcased their talents at the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) National Youth Championships, a contest they are already signed up to compete in again this November. In addition, members have performed at local and national solo competitions, and have participated in supermarket fundraising events.

A warm welcome is extended to all at the event. Whether you currently are learning to play an instrument or would like to start, come along on the 30th of September to meet the band. For further information contact John or Carrie on 01563 537998.