As We Worship

The National Methodist Youth Brass Band

Overview:

The National Methodist Youth Brass Band (NMYBB) consists of young people from all around the country ranging from Cumbria and County Durham, through Yorkshire and The Midlands down to London and Sussex to name just a few. Members join the band between 13 and 18 years of age.

The purpose of the band is to provide a Christian environment through which young people can learn and grow musically and gain skills associated with organising activities. As such, members of the band look after the finance, administration and organisation of weekends and tours.

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 brass 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.

The band meets 4 or 5 times every year for a weekend. The weekend pattern follows the same format of rehearsing Friday evening and Saturday morning, sleeping on church premises, being fed by the host church, giving a Saturday evening concert and leading Sunday morning worship – never visiting a host church twice showing the demand for this young and entertaining band.

In addition to meeting for weekends, the band also meets for an annual tour. The tour varies from 10 to 14 days, depending upon location, and covers both the UK and overseas. This year we had a very successful tour of Guernsey; including visiting, playing and staying on the island of Sark. In 2010 we are organising a ‘city’ tour starting in Manchester moving to Birmingham and finishing in London.

Help Needed

We would love help in a number of simple ways:

  • Praying for the work of the band
  • Finding new members that may be within your churches
  • Consider hosting the band at your church

Website:

nmybb.org.uk/