About the School of Brass

 

St Austell Band's "School of Brass" was formed in 1990 and, through training brass players in schools and at the band room, soon created one of the best youth bands in the country.  Many players from this original group now play in the senior band.

 

David Mumford directs the Training Band where players can learn early ensemble skills before progressing to the Youth Band.

 

St Austell Youth Band, in its current form, made its contest debut at the West of England Bandsmen's Festival at Bugle in 2010.  It gained a respectable 2nd place in the Training Band section and marched with the Senior Band to help win the deportment prize.  In 2011 the Junior Band won the "Mount Charles Band Cup" at St Austell Music Festival.  Mark Arnold was appointed as Musical Director in 2012 and led the band to its first contest win at Bugle that year.  This same group made its first appearance in the Youth Section in November 2012 at SWBBA's annual contest in Torquay and In June 2015, won the Youth section at the West of England Bandsmen's Festival in Bugle.  The band has had more contesting success under the direction of Anna Minear and are reigning Youth Champions of the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival.

 

St Austell School of Brass offers instrumental and theory tuition and free instrument hire to all its members and encourages pupils to progress through grade exams.

 

The Youth Band has recently secured two years of funding from Cornwall Music Education Hub.