Barnsley will be the home of the inaugural event later this month.
Tickets are now on sale for the first ever National Youth Brass Band Festival due to take place on Friday 28 June at the Barnsley Civic. The first event, the Foyle Foundation Youth Fest, has been organised by Brass Bands England (BBE) with special support from the Foyle Foundation, alongside its regular funder, Arts Council England.
The event has been designed as an additional or alternative performance opportunity to the existing National Youth Brass Band Championships, or Youth Champs, also organised by BBE, which takes place every March.
In contrast to Youth Champs, Youth Fest is a non-competitive event, which aims to celebrate success and participation in music, inspire and engage young people in an inclusive environment, and encourage personal and musical progression.
Who can I hear?
Audiences can visit the morning session to enjoy two bands perform from 10.30am - 12.30pm:
Meltham C of E Primary School, West Yorkshire
BDAT Brass (Bradford Diocese Academy Trust Brass Band), Bradford
An afternoon ticket will give listeners access to performances from four bands from 1.30pm - 4pm:
St Nicolas C of E Primary School, Blackpool
Maybury Primary School, Hull
City of Hull Youth Band
Sheffield Music Hub
Each session will also include an additional participants workshop from BBE's Brass Foundations team of tutors, which audience members will also be able to attend.
Show your support
Yorkshire-based banders as well as those with links to band-leaders, bands and schools are encouraged to come along and support the next generation of brass players by buying a ticket or donating £5 to support the future of the event. Young family members with a potential interest in music-making are also highly welcome.
Tickets are £5 per session or £8 for both morning and afternoon. Under 18s can attend for free. Tickets can be pre-ordered from the Brass Bands England website or purchased on the door.