EverReady Band nurtures young music talent

A North East brass band is giving young musicians a chance to shine.

The EverReady Band, one of the region’s most established brass ensembles, has launched Youth Futures, an initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of players. 

The programme kicked off over the summer at The Fire Station, in Sunderland, bringing together more than 20 young musicians aged 11 to 19 for a full-day event.

Participants took part in sectional workshops and full rehearsals led by tutors from the Durham Music Service, culminating in a public performance for friends, family and local music enthusiasts. 

The performance was conducted by Mareika Gray, musical director of the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain.

Band manager Jillian Dixon said: “We’ve been working to increase our community engagement work, and giving talented young musicians more learning and performance opportunities is a great way for us to be doing this.

“The Youth Futures event was designed to give participants the chance to work together, listen to each other and get invaluable guidance from a range of expert tutors.

“The band achieved an awful lot in just a few hours, and they looked and sounded great when they were performing together on stage in one of the North East’s best live music venues. 

“We’re going to be holding regular rehearsals in our band room in the coming months and would love to get more young musicians who play their instruments to Grade Two level involved.”

Originally founded in 1910 as Craghead Colliery Band, the Stanley-based EverReady Band continues to perform across the UK and will compete at the British Open Championship at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall in September. 

With Youth Futures now underway, the band hopes to inspire a new generation of brass musicians across the North East.

Funding from County Durham-based Banks Group, a long-term supporter of brass band music in the North East and one of the lead sponsors of the recent Durham Brass Festival, will cover the project’s running costs for the coming year, allowing the band to expand opportunities for young players to develop their skills, perform regularly and gain experience in a collaborative setting.

Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, added: “At a time when musical education opportunities are increasingly hard to come by for young people, this is a brilliant initiative that’s going to help sustain a tradition that has deep roots across the North East.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →