Youth band hits the high notes

Local MP David Rutley, congratulated the Macclesfield Youth Brass Band, on their funding award of £2,000 – for a scheme to encourage children with moderate or severe asthma to take up a brass instrument.

The successful youth brass band received the grant from Lloyds Bank, as part of its community fund, following a public vote last year.

The Macclesfield Youth Brass Band was setup in 2005 and is a registered charity run by over 40 volunteers, including parents of band members and local musicians. The band consists of 120 members between the ages of 7 and 19 years, who are spilt into a Youth Band, Junior Band, Training Band and a drum corps. Rehearsals take place at Fallibroome Academy every Friday evening.

The group are supported by the Paediatric Respiratory Service at Macclesfield General Hospital, who believe there are real health benefits for asthmatic children who take up a wind instrument.

With the funding, the band is hoping to recruit eight children over a two year period to learn to play a brass instrument. They can choose from a cornet, tenor horn, trombone, euphonium or tuba. Qualifying children will receive an instrument on loan, tuition with the band and free membership of the band for a year, and volunteers will monitor their progress.  In addition to this, Asthma team leader Elan Paton and young volunteers Elizabeth Taylor and Alice Waterhouse, both of whom are players in the youth band, will receive training in caring for children with asthma from the team at the hospital.

This is not the first time that the band has taken on such a project. Previous results were very positive, as participants reported measurable improvement in their breathing, as well as a reduction in the number of days off school due to asthma and improved sleep.

Speaking about the success of the band, Elan Paton, Project Leader, whose son plays in the Youth Band, said, “The band is very supportive of children with special health or learning needs and this project provides a great opportunity for children with asthma to participate in something new that will also have a positive impact on their health. We already know it works and that there is no reason why children with asthma cannot participate and progress really well in learning an instrument”.

Mr Rutley added, “It is fantastic to see Macclesfield Youth Brass band playing an important role in the lives of so many young people in the local community. Playing a musical instrument has many positive educational, health and social aspects, so it is great to see the group going from strength to strength. This funding is richly deserved, and I look forward to seeing the rewards of this work in the months and years ahead.”

For more information about the band or if you would like to find out about joining the Asthma scheme please email training@mybb.org.uk or visit www.mybb.org.uk