ONE of the world’s leading brass bands is signing up youth musicians for the first time.

Brighouse and Rastrick Band have made the historic decision to establish a youth band – the first since the band was founded in 1881.

It comes three years after the top band signed up its first woman.

Dean Redfern, newly appointed musical director of the youth band and cornet player, said: “We believe it’s a very positive move to help secure the long term future of Brighouse and Rastrick Band and to further provide additional musical opportunities for young players in the area.

“The ultimate aim is to duplicate the success of the senior band within the championship section by becoming one of the leading youth bands in the country, developing young players to hopefully join the senior band in years to come, if that is what they would like to do.”

Mr Redfern was previously the MD of Rochdale Youth Band, Boarshurst Youth Band and Delph Youth Band.

He is now chairman of Brighouse and Rastrick Band and hopes to assemble a group of top young musicians by May, with the band entering competitions next year.

Paul Beaumont, band president, said: “The youth band has the support of everyone associated with B&R and potential players shouldn’t miss out on a great opportunity to be part of something unique and very special right from the start.

“As well as players we welcome parents to get involved with the day to day organisational side of running the youth band, and potentially the senior band, as Brighouse and Rastrick Youth Band welcome any player aged 18 or below that can play to an acceptable level.”

An open day takes place on Saturday, April 27 between 10.30am and 3pm at the band’s West Ridings headquarters at Finkil Street, Brighouse, for musicians interested in joining.

Auditions will be held on Saturday May 4 also at the band room between 10am and 2pm.

For more details email Dean on dean.redfern@jwlees.co.uk, call him on 07711 227625 or attend the open day.

BRIGHOUSE & RASTRICK HISTORY

The Brighouse and Rastrick Temperance Band formed in 1881.

During the 1920s it attracted top musicians and improved its status among the nation’s brass bands.

In the 20s the band dropped ‘Temperance’ from its name and in 1929 it won both the July and September Brass Band Contests held at Belle Vue, Manchester.

It won the ‘September’ – British Open Championship – three years running in 1932-33-34 and re-gained the title in 1936, after being barred in 1935.

The band’s performance of The Floral Dance rose to number 2 in the UK Singles Chart at Christmas 1977.

The band won the championship again in 1978.

The band opened a purpose-built HQ – called West Ridings – at the Brighouse High School campus in January 1995.

Having been a men-only band it welcomed its first female member, Laura Hirst in 2010.

Crowned the National Champions in 2010 and 2011.