Welcome to the Thirsk Royal British Legion Band
The Thirsk Royal British Legion Band is a non-competing, friendly band at the heart of its community in the small market town of Thirsk, North Yorkshire. Since the Band was formed on 9th May 1985, it has grown in both size and stature, giving many brass and percussion players the opportunity to perform music.
Every Tuesday evening our bands gather for two rehearsals at Knayton Village Hall, just North of Thirsk.
The first band to rehearse from 6.15pm is our wonderful training band. The training band is made up of all ages and abilities.
You do not need any previous experience to join our training band, just an interest in music.
From 7.30pm the main band take over, practicing a variety of pieces and filling the room with fantastic harmonies.
Our main and training bands are always looking for new players - do get in touch if you would like to start (or return to) playing brass. We can even provide you with an instrument and you will be given your own music to take home and practice. We have several members of the main band who willingly give their time to help the training band so there's no need to worry, there's always someone who will help you on your musical journey.
If you want to contact the Band about joining or booking us, then don't forget that you can reach us through our contact form.
Please see our About Us page to learn more about the Band and how you can take part - we are always happy to welcome new members! You can also book the band through our Band Bookings page. Please see our Engagements page if you want to know where we are playing next. Contact us if you have any further questions or comments.
Every Tuesday evening our bands gather for two rehearsals at Knayton Village Hall, just North of Thirsk.
The first band to rehearse from 6.15pm is our wonderful training band. The training band is made up of all ages and abilities.
You do not need any previous experience to join our training band, just an interest in music.
From 7.30pm the main band take over, practicing a variety of pieces and filling the room with fantastic harmonies.
Our main and training bands are always looking for new players - do get in touch if you would like to start (or return to) playing brass. We can even provide you with an instrument and you will be given your own music to take home and practice. We have several members of the main band who willingly give their time to help the training band so there's no need to worry, there's always someone who will help you on your musical journey.
If you want to contact the Band about joining or booking us, then don't forget that you can reach us through our contact form.
Please see our About Us page to learn more about the Band and how you can take part - we are always happy to welcome new members! You can also book the band through our Band Bookings page. Please see our Engagements page if you want to know where we are playing next. Contact us if you have any further questions or comments.
Sunshine & Songs!
Thank you to everyone who came and supported our performance in Thirsk Market Square. The sun shone and the band sounded terrific. It's wonderful to have both the training band and the main band play together. We raised lots of much needed funds which will go towards the upkeep and repair of the instruments we loan out to our players.
This year we are also purchasing some new t-shirts for our summer engagements.
This year we are also purchasing some new t-shirts for our summer engagements.
Hopping into Spring!!
Our bands have been busy learning new pieces and perfecting since our Christmas break.
The training band are working hard on some cracking pieces from some very famous musicals! I think I can vouch for everyone when I quote Maria from The Sound of Music when I say " I can't seem to stop singing wherever I am"!! Doe a Deer defiantly runs through my mind for days after a hearty practice! The band are sounding incredible. All the hard work and practising is definitely paying off!!
The training bands conductor, Debbie has been setting weekly quiz's to help players learn the technical words and their meanings. From Latin to note names and their values, it's important that we teach more than just how to play! Should players want to complete any musical grades (privately) they will need some theory knowledge. Discussing in groups, in a fun, social environment means they are learning in a none class room style.
The training band are working hard on some cracking pieces from some very famous musicals! I think I can vouch for everyone when I quote Maria from The Sound of Music when I say " I can't seem to stop singing wherever I am"!! Doe a Deer defiantly runs through my mind for days after a hearty practice! The band are sounding incredible. All the hard work and practising is definitely paying off!!
The training bands conductor, Debbie has been setting weekly quiz's to help players learn the technical words and their meanings. From Latin to note names and their values, it's important that we teach more than just how to play! Should players want to complete any musical grades (privately) they will need some theory knowledge. Discussing in groups, in a fun, social environment means they are learning in a none class room style.
Achievements!!!
We are always so proud of our players and their achievements!
This week we meet Isla who is one of our two percussionist in the training band!(yes, we really are that lucky) She recently received her Blue Peter Music badge, and while she has only been playing the drums since October 2022 she can hold a mean beat! Well Done Isla!
This week we meet Isla who is one of our two percussionist in the training band!(yes, we really are that lucky) She recently received her Blue Peter Music badge, and while she has only been playing the drums since October 2022 she can hold a mean beat! Well Done Isla!
Merry Christmas!
WOW! What a busy season! Where haven't we played!!! The start of our Christmas performances kicked off with us opening the Thirsk Light switch on. It's a privilege to be asked to play for our wonderful town. Being a community band it is important that we showcase what we are about, that our band is made up with all ages and abilities and we warmly welcome anyone with a passion or interest for music. The training band joined the main band on stage and helped create a wonderful sound that was enjoyed by all. We spent a weekend playing carols at Sutton Bank visitors centre. The feedback we received was wonderful, and certainly helped us keep going when the fingers were getting cold.... the hot drinks helped too. Keiran did an excellent job collecting (and dog sitting)!! We had a very festive morning playing in the town centre, narrowly missing the snow that fell that night. One of our most atmospheric engagements has to be the one at Fountain Abbey. The acoustic in the cloisters coupled with the lighting made for a very wholesome performance. A huge THANK YOU to all the band for their hard work and commitment throughout December. Thank you to our amazing team of collectors who braved the elements with us, it does not go unnoticed! As a result, we received lots of donations which will go straight back into the band to pay for instrument servicing and repairs, new instruments, uniforms and fees for the hall! THANK YOU!! |
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Christmas Concert!!
The Christmas Concert was a huge success this year. The audience really enjoyed it and the feedback we've received has been wonderful! A special Thanks goes to Clare for conducting the concert and leading the rehearsal to create such a great program. Thank you Debbie for conducting our training band. All your input and enthusiasm had them sounded fantastic!! We must also give a big Thank You to those who collected prizes, sold raffle tickets and served refreshments on the evening, we couldn't do it without you!!
Congratulations to our fabulous Trombonist Trevor who received the RBL Band shield for his commitment to the band. The presenting of the shield began in 1985 (it has been replaced in the meantime), and is usually presented at our Christmas Concert. Well done Trevor!! Luke's hat made numerous appearances over the Carolling period. Often rivalling the trees we were playing around!
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Come & join us!
Fundraising
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Last Summer the Herriot Hospice charity set a challenge to raise £300,000 in 36 hours to fund the renovation of the Lambert medical centre into a hospice facility! As you can imagine, Thirsk rallied and not only did we help raise £300,000 we went on and exceeded that amount!! Utterly incredible!! Thirsk Royal British Legion band were on hand to offer our support. We played in town on Sunday and raised £2,000 through kind public donations! THANK YOU!!
Do you shop online? Do it through easyfundraising.org.uk and raise a free donation for Thirsk Royal British Legion Band every time you shop! https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/thirskroyalbritishlegionband/ |
