Funding helps young people hit the right notes
National Grid has helped Lion Brass 4 Youth, North Somerset’s County Youth Brass Band, for young, improving brass musicians, to buy new instruments with a £19,684 grant provided through the Community Grant Fund.
Formed in September 2008 and based in Clevedon, North Somerset, Lion Brass 4 Youth provides the only opportunity in the county – and further afield for young people aged 21 and under – to improve, perform and have fun making music in a full brass band.
An entirely independent organisation, the band is a project of Lions Clubs 105 SW, which provides support from Lions clubs throughout the South West of England. Additionally, it's a partner of the Music Education Partnership: North Somerset.
National Grid’s funding has helped support the purchase of several top class instruments for five of the band’s principal players. The enthusiastic musicians rehearse every Friday and use the skills learned to play in other bands and ensembles across the region. In addition, some of the young artists play in the National Youth Brass Band.
The generous donation by National Grid also helped to support one of the organisation’s new starter bands. This entailed buying a set of instruments for 12 young individuals who have not played a brass instrument before and are not in a financial position to buy an instrument or pay for tuition.
The funding ensures that the young people can loan the instruments from Lion Brass 4 Youth at no cost to them, helping disadvantaged children and young people to learn an instrument. In addition, they’re provided with 16 months of free music tuition and a tutor book to help guide their learning.
Our players’ sound has been greatly enhanced by the amazing quality instruments...
The young people in the new starter band are already making significant progress. Debbie Underwood, Band Manager Volunteer, said, “Our players’ sound has been greatly enhanced by the amazing quality instruments provided through this grant and our 12 new players are loving their lessons so far! Thank you so much to National Grid”.
James Goode, Project Director on the Hinkley Connection Project, commented: “We’re delighted to have played our part in supporting young people to access music tuition and unlocking their potential. The Community Grant Fund is helping to reshape lives across the south west and the experiences of those young people in the Lion Brass 4 Youth bands is testament to the positive impact it is having.”
