Youth Bands - Do they work?

[Minho]

Being from way down south, as in 30 miles from France down south, we don't have any youth bands at all, and only three local bands. However, being that the closest one's about 45 minutes away and doesn't have many younger players, A mate and I sort of devised a scheme to get younger kids interested in piping and drumming. Not a competition band on the whole - although that could happen, but one to get people started off and up to a standard where they can then perform in competitions if we do them, or go solo/join one of the local bands.

I've been able to secure some funding and a location if I do choose to take it so thats not too much of a problem. But would it work?

Then again this was a One o'clock in the morning idea and maybe stupid so I don't know :P

[piper_dancer]

It would never hurt to try! There's quite a few youth bands around that seem to be working (both school-related and non school-related). I would say go for it and see what happens...if the interest is there, you might be onto something!

[Churchill]

We started a training band and it's a lot of work for the guys involved but the kids love it and there's some realy talent coming through which is eventually going to benefit us massively.

Remember as well that you guys will have to get disclosures etc as you'll be working with kids. One other thing to think about but I'll PM you that.

[Heed]

Of Course it'll work! Am I correct in guessing you are or were an Air Cadet? You guys have been on the right track down there for years now, would be fantastic if you could keep it going after cadets. (if thats the plan).

We may already know each other, whether we do or not, please either message me here or add me on facebook? Be glad to be of assistance.

[Minho]

Originally Posted by piper_dancer

It would never hurt to try! There's quite a few youth bands around that seem to be working (both school-related and non school-related). I would say go for it and see what happens...if the interest is there, you might be onto something!

I've had a lot of interest from friends who are Pipers/Drummers wanting to help out, and also with local charities etc, so we can only hope we are :)

Originally Posted by Heed

Of Course it'll work! Am I correct in guessing you are or were an Air Cadet? You guys have been on the right track down there for years now, would be fantastic if you could keep it going after cadets. (if thats the plan).

We may already know each other, whether we do or not, please either message me here or add me on facebook? Be glad to be of assistance.

Sent a PM. If you know any of the staff down here, may i ask it to be kept... Shh? We want to present it as a surprise, show what we've done etc haha
(Especially Leslie and Sally!)

[Heed]

Originally Posted by Minho

I've had a lot of interest from friends who are Pipers/Drummers wanting to help out, and also with local charities etc, so we can only hope we are :)



Sent a PM. If you know any of the staff down here, may i ask it to be kept... Shh? We want to present it as a surprise, show what we've done etc haha
(Especially Leslie and Sally!)

Just pm'd u. Didnt see yer request. Sure, no probs. Will they be onside? This isn't a wee splinter group or anything?

Incidentally if you DO want to keep it quiet, I'd keep it off all forums. I know quite a few South Coasters who read this and Dunsire. Might even be too late.... Good luck. As I said, love the stuff u guys and the adults are doing, you deserve success and recognition

[Minho]

Originally Posted by Heed

Just pm'd u. Didnt see yer request. Sure, no probs. Will they be onside? This isn't a wee splinter group or anything?

Incidentally if you DO want to keep it quiet, I'd keep it off all forums. I know quite a few South Coasters who read this and Dunsire. Might even be too late.... Good luck. As I said, love the stuff u guys and the adults are doing, you deserve success and recognition

No, we're just looking to show them later on and say "look at what we've done" and to have it our way so to speak, nothing influenced and trying a whole new system of running it that we came up with

If it's too late ah well, but they'd be getting told sooner or later so it doesn't bother me too much.

[dunc4]

sounds like you have a plan,the other thing to be mindful of is making them feel like that you want them to be part of the new way forward/vision or whatever way you wish to present it to them,,,,i'm now the boss of a band of varying levels of skill,ggroan...

[Scottish piper]

Best of luck with it - we have real problem recruiting anyone, without being age selective! ;)

However, if (when!) it gets going - make yourself known! Get out to as many competitions as you can.

I'm suprised when I see cadet pipers and bands in the local paper, when I've never heard of them before.

I would've joined one of their bands if I saw them at a competition a couple of years ago, but at 17 I'm getting on a bit (lol), and am now PM of CCPB, and playing with Uni of Bedfordshire, so too many commitements atm.

Again, best of luck!

If you need any help give me a pm or whatever - just two years ago we were starting our own band, so I fresh memories (pains)!

[JHaslip]

Honestly most youth bands can be very, very, very productive...for example. I live in Edmonton Alberta Canada, not exactly known as a piping Hotbwed, but theres a solid culture here... The Edmonton Boys Pipe Band, back in 2002(?), under the fantastic PM(Instructor) Arnie Stone, went to Scotland, and won the world juveniles... i beleive no piper or drummer was over the age of 19, possibly 18 and under... Most of those memebres later went on to play with Bands of great repute, such as (and Mainly) Alberta Caledonia... so uyes, youth bands work.... Also Cadet Bands tend to be quite efficient as well... the only downside is you have a hard time recruiting age groups at the skill level you'd want, or you have to start from scratch and teach them all and hope they stay... aside from that good idea