The Great Western Youth Band was formed in September 2006, organised by parents of young brass players and players from local brass bands. Rehearsing in Swindon at St Marks Church, Church Place, on a Saturday morning, the band is going from strength to strength with it's 90+ players. Under a previous organisation but the same Musical director and players, the Youth Band achieved it's first major contest win in South Wales in 2005. After varying contest results and traveling up to Manchester for the National Brass Band Championships, the band prepared in the most rigorous set of rehearsals to date. The Gwent contest was attended by some of the top bands in South Wales which is known for it's strong and high quality Brass Bands.

Conducted by John Winterflood, the bands are always looking for new players. With a Beginner Band, Intermediate Band and the main Youth Band, abilities from pre-grade 1 beginner to diploma level are displayed in the band structure. The band has also gained the tutoring and help of many experienced players to pass on knowledge and tips. The children and teenagers are always extremely grateful for their help and support.

The band has a constantly expanding music library and tries to play as suitably demanding music as possible to stretch the abilities of the players. The Great Western Youth Band aims to help young players develop their musical abilities and provide a stream of competent and enthusiastic players into the brass band movement throughout the area. As many teenagers will leave Swindon at age 18 or 19 to go to University, the band encourages them to continue playing and helps them find brass bands near their university.

Our first concert was a great success. Click here to view the newspaper report from this concert.

In early 2007, we travelled to Gwent in South Wales for the Annual Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band Festival. Click here to view the newspaper report from this contest.

The weekend of the 7th & 8th July 2007, the Great Western Youth Band travelled to Prestatyn for the British Open Youth Band Championships for the first time. The band performed a 25 minute programme of music which included a set Test Piece and other set elements for the competition.

The youngsters of Great Western Youth Band were ecstatic at being placed 3rd receiving an award, £200 and a Gold Certificate, especially as many of the band had to work extra hard because of GCSE’s, AS and A level examinations during the preparations for the competition.

The two adjudicators commented on the band’s excellent performance against more established band’s saying how musical it was. Both adjudicator’s approached the Great Western Youth Band musical director John Winterflood immediately after the results were announced to congratulate him and the band on a first class musical performance that had them in a dilemma as to choosing the runner up position in the competition. They also commented on the high standard of playing from the first three bands giving them all a gold award.