About NMYBB
The Methodist Youth Brass Band was formed in April 1987 when 20 enthusiastic young brass players responded to an advert in the Methodist Recorder and got together at Surbiton Hill Methodist Church. After just two lengthy and concentrated rehearsals they gave a creditable first concert and then on the Sunday participated in morning worship by playing the voluntaries and accompanying all the hymns. The National Methodist Youth Brass Band had been born. It was evident from that first weekend that there was potential and promise for such a band and that God’s Spirit was urging it on.
But how can you run a band on a national basis? How can they get together to practise and perform? What about the cost of travel and accommodation? The answer is ‘weekends’. The band meets four or five times a year from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. The players sleep on the floor in church halls and are fed by local congregations. They give a Saturday night concert and lead Sunday morning worship – a pattern set by that first weekend in Surbiton.
Apart from the enjoyment and challenge of making music together, the members (and their leaders!) have a great deal of Fun, enjoy good Fellowship and seek to grow in their Faith together – known by the band as the 3 F’s. One member writes, “It is as if the band is a family, there’s always someone to phone or write to if you need help”.
This is the heart of the band and what sets it apart from other bands and makes it so special to its members and leaders. The band receives no financial grants or help but is an independent group within the Methodist Church being self-supporting and relying on donations, subscriptions and occasional part-proceeds from concerts.
If you would like to know more about the band, please contact the band administrator.
If you would like to become a member, please contact our membership secretary.
