As a member of the County Youth Brass Band you will discover, play, and perform a wide range of repertoire for brass band, whilst working with experienced conductors and sectional tutors who work to support you in developing your skills with performing as both individuals and an ensemble.
Each course offers high-quality musical opportunities to inspire members to reach their musical goals and to encourage the growth and personal development of the individuals we work with.
If you have any questions about whether this opportunity is right for you, please get in touch with the County Youth Music team via countyyouthmusic@hertfordshire.gov.uk
The County Youth Brass Band is non-auditioned.
Signing up before the deadline of 30 August ensures you have access to a full year of opportunities, any relevant membership discount(s), and the opportunity to apply for principal positions in our auditioned ensembles.
Spring term 2025
Our popular Easter brass course returns on 5 – 7 April 2025. Watch this space!
December 2024: Hertfordshire County Youth Choir and County Youth Brass Band end of term festive celebration with young singers from Howe Dell Primary School and Welwyn St Mary’s Primary School. Repertoire included Christus Natus Est by Cecilia McDowall, and a selection of carols and festive-inspired works by all performers. Saturday 14 December at St Etheldreda’s Church, Hatfield. Conducted by James Slimings and Ashley Horton.
Summer 2024: 'Summer of music from the screen' conducted by Christopher Bond at Stevenage Music Centre, 29 - 31 August 2024 with a performance at 1.00pm on Saturday 31 August. Repertoire included The Pirates of the Caribbean, Singing in the Rain, The Greatest Showman medley, You Can't Stop the Beat from Hairspray, and more!
Spring 2024: Saturday 6 - Monday 8 April. Three day County Youth Brass Easter Course, with guest conductor Christopher Bond.
Autumn 2023: Joint Autumn course with Hertfordshire County Youth Wind Sinfonia
Tuesday 24 October rehearsals at Mid Herts Centre for Music and Arts
Wednesday 25 October, trip to Wellington Barracks with the Grenadier Guards Band. Repertoire rehearsed:
John Williams arr. James Curnow - 'Olympic Fanfare & Theme'
Nigel Hess ' 'Thames Journey'
John Higgins - 'A Gershwin Portrait'
Summer 2023: Regrettably this course had to be cancelled. However many members of the Brass Band joined the County Wind Sinfonia summer course and worked on a variety of interesting repertoire for wind band, conducted by Dave Gordon-Shute.
Spring 2023: Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd April 2023 at Mid Herts Centre for Music and Arts.
Autumn 2022: Sunday 27th November at Watford School of Music.
Summer 2022: Saturday 23rd - Tuesday 26th July. Four day course and concert at Watford School of Music.
Spring 2022: Sunday 3rd April - Joint concert with the world-renowned Cory Band at Weston Auditorium, University of Hertfordshire.
Autumn 2021: Sunday 28th November at Watford School of Music.
Summer 2021: Friday 30th July – Sunday 1st August. Three day course culminating in an informal performance at Watford School of Music
Autumn 2019 - 2nd November - Workshop Day at Mid Herts Centre for Music & Arts, Hatfield
Summer 2019 - 25th-27th July - Residential course (joint with County Wind Sinfonia) at Purcell School, Bushey; 27th July concert (joint with County Wind Sinfonia) County Youth Music Festival: Celebrating 50 years of County Youth Brass at Weston Auditorium, University of Hertfordshire; 28th July two performances at Bournemouth Bandstand
Spring 2019 - 23rd-24th February Course at Mid Herts Centre for Music & Arts with principal conductor Paul Fisher, and 24th February joint concert with Ware Brass at Ware Drill Hall (conductors Paul Fisher (CYB) and Craig Patterson (Ware Brass))
Autumn 2018 - 18th November course at Mid Herts Centre for Music & Arts, Hatfield
Summer 2018 - 30th July-2nd August course at Haileybury College Hertford, 2nd August concert at St Peter's Church St Albans
March 2018 - Hertfordshire Schools Gala 2018 at Royal Albert Hall
Spring 2018 - 17th-18th February course at Watford School of Music; joint concert with Amersham band
November 2017 - 12th November workshop day at Mid Herts Centre for Music & Arts, Hatfield