Hebden Bridge Junior Band is looking to boost its numbers, after finishing its first Christmas season in two years due to the pandemic.
Formed in 1971, the band of seven- to 19-year-olds has recently seen a drop in members. COVID prevented any rehearsals, tutoring, and concerts – which halted any sign-on plans for new players.
“You can’t really blow air through an instrument during COVID, can you,” said Gabriel Bunzl, a euphonium player in the band. The players attempted to rehearse virtually, but the online delay of cameras and microphones made this practically impossible.
This comes after their previous storage and rehearsal space at The Masonic Hall was closed during the pandemic. The building was later sold, leaving the band rehearsing in one town and storing instruments in the next village over.
But this hasn’t stopped its members from playing. Gabriel is part of a small group who busk outside of the band, alongside Holly Bunzel (flugel horn and cornet), Tom Andrews (principal cornet), and Charlie Yates (E flat Bass and tuba).
Holly, who is looking to start university this year, has enjoyed playing with the band, but at 17, admits that it might be time to move on.
She said “I start to feel like I’m growing out of it, I suppose, and moving onto more challenging music. I think COVID didn’t help that quite a few members left.”
Recruitment for youth bands is always difficult – having to rely on a steady flow of newcomers alongside holding onto their veteran maestros for as long as possible.
It’s something that Sara Steeles-Yates, the chair of the band, is familiar with. She said: “the pool of players that you have to pick up is getting smaller and smaller, but there are still people who are really supportive of the band.
“It might not be the massive 20- to 30-player band that it has been in the past, but it’s going to be a good core, and a good sounding band.”
Meanwhile, the Managing Director, Toby Brazier – who has conducted the band since May 2022 – states that the decrease in band members is partly due to a lack of support for music across the UK.
“On a national level, we have a general problem because music was cut, just totally abandoned,” he said.
Though, he explained, government support isn’t the only issue: children are struggling to socialise after constant social distancing, isolation, and lockdowns. “It’s like there’s a trust issue going on with a lot of children – they can’t converse with each other.
“I think that’s our next challenge here in this band – to become a bit more of a family, be a bit more cohesive, as one. But once we’re beyond that, it’s a very good and encouraging future.”
Indeed, despite all these problems, both players and committee members are optimistic about the future of the band. And given the crowds that packed out the Hebden Bridge Town Square for their Christmas Eve carols, it’s easy to see why.
“You just feel this appetite and excitement that’s gone up.” says Mr Brazier. “That’s definitely happened here with this band and the local community – people have been ready to support it quite eagerly.”
Yet, between the concerts, and balancing full-time commitments with the band, there’s a greater purpose here that Sara neatly sums up.
“I think watching the kids enjoy themselves playing, they’re doing it because they enjoy it. That’s what I like.”
All images: Mancunian Matters
