Gawthorpe Brass '85 was founded in 1985 and began with 38 local youngsters; all beginners to brass playing. It is very much a family band, with brothers and sisters playing alongside parents and, in some cases, grandparents. The organisation now has over 200 members in 15 groups ranging from 'Parents and Tots' through Music Clubs for 2 to 8 year olds. It includes beginners (of all ages), brass classes, theory and practical examination classes, percussion groups and Training, Junior, Youth and 3 Senior Brass Bands. Although we are a large organisation, we always welcome new recruits of any age and at any stage of learning. If interested, please contact Susan Elsworth.
Rehearsals and classes are held in Gawthorpe Junior and Infant School where we enjoy the sole use of an outside classroom adjacent to the school premises. All the bands and the Music Funclubs have a busy annual schedule of concerts, contests and copetitions. In addtion to their performances locally and nationally, the bands have played in Disneyland (Paris); Valkenberg (Holland); Istanbul and, in 1996 the Senior Band visited Florida where they played in Tampa and Clearwater.
Over the years the bands have been successful in many competitions. The younger groups have performed on 13 occasions at the Royal Festival Hall, London, in the National Festival of Music for Youth and, in 1991, played in the Royal Albert Hall for the "School's Prom" Concert. The Senior Bands have also been successful within their class in National Brass Band competitions. The Section 3 Senior Band has twice held the title of "Yorkshire Champions" in their section. In 2004 the second Senior Band qualified for the National Finals in Section 4 and acheived a creditable 7th place in their debut performance. In 2005 the Section 4 band were Yorkshire Area Champions and promoted to Section 3.
The organisation is financially self- supporting. Concert fees and parents fundraising events cover the running costs. Thanks to grants from the National Lottery, Yorkshire Arts, The National Foundation for Youth Music and local sources we are able to provide all our players with an instrument, music and uniform.
The success of the Band is evident in the number of bandsmen and women who started their musical lives with Gawthorpe Brass '85 and now play with some of the biggest names in the Brass Band world.
To celebrate the Millenium, the organisation produced a CD, featuring all 4 brass bands. This is available on request and costs £5.
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