Hade Edge Youth Band were formed in 2001 as a response to a growing interest in forming a youth group as a potential future support to the Senior Band.
Nearly all of the players started out as complete beginners, but now they perform in a range of concerts throughout the year and have competed in the Youth Section of the Holme Valley Contest for the last two years (this year playing Little Suite for Brass by Malcolm Arnold). The band also features five (and counting) players who regularly play for the Senior Band.
Hade Edge Training Band was formed in 2004 when demand for places in the Youth Band started to get out of hand! In the same vein as the Youth Band, all the members of the Training Band started out as complete beginners, but have now improved to a point where they are regularly performing concerts throughout the year. A number of the principle players also play in the Youth Band as well.
Both the Hade Edge Youth and Training bands rehearse at the bandroom on Friday evenings and are conducted by Simon Wood.
Hade Edge Junior Jazz Band is an eclectic mix of various jazz instruments forming into a large big band (of sorts!). Instruments include: trumpets, trombones, saxophones, clarinets, keyboards, guitars, bass guitars (and on occasion, double bass) and percussion.
Formed in 2006, the Jazz Honkers have been extremely successful and regularly perform a host of high-profile concerts (including Huddersfield's St. Pauls Hall). A number of junior band members perform in the band on their 'second instrument', but the ensemble has also attracted a number of non-brass players on instruments such as guitar and saxophone.
The Jazz Honkers are directed by Simon Wood rehearse at the bandroom on Monday evenings.
Hade Edge Community Choir consists of a number of children (and a few adults) singing a range of classical and popular music. They perform regularly with a number of the other Hade Edge ensembles and are directed by the talented singer Sarah Ogden, who has been the recipient of the Kirklees Young Musician of the Year award and has performed as a guest soloist with the Black Dyke Band.
Hade Edge Community Choir rehearse at the bandroom on Monday evenings.
A number of Senior Band members provide instrumental tuition for the Junior Ensembles. These lessons are one-to-one and take place on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (prior to Senior Band rehearsals).
Targets include preparing the pupils for concerts, contests and graded examinations as well as improving overall musicianship. Plans are currently being put into place to offer theory tuition as a number of Junior Band members are progressed well beyond grade 5 level now.
Teachers
Simon Wood, Kelly Kenyon, Robert Mitchell, Dorian Kelly, Dawn Sellors,
Robert Newton, Phil Brown
Brass instruments need careful handling - yes, even the battered ones!
The most delicate part of a brass instrument is the valves. These need to be kept in good condition at all times so that the instrument will play correctly. Parents are asked to make sure that the valves on their child's instrument are free and working well before each session.
The best way to look after a brass instrument is to play it every day. If your child practices for a few minutes every day it will help both the child and the instrument.
First of all, it will help to build up the facial muscles which is very important as this gives the player the strength that is needed to play successfully, it will also help with the child's confidence.
Secondly, it will help to keep the valves lubricated and free moving.
It is essential that the correct valve oil is used at all times. Never, under any circumstances, use any other kind of oil as this will result in a very expensive repair!