Who we are
The Manx Youth Band was founded by the late T J “Jim” Crosbie MBE in 1970. The Band has a reputation for excellence, as shown by its success in past Manx Music Festivals and various off-Island contests.
In 1995, its 25th Anniversary year, the Manx Youth Band Organisation formed Manx Concert Brass, a new band whose membership was not restricted by age. This allowed the Manx Youth Band to be restructured as a ‘proper’ Youth Band, with an upper age limit of 19 years, thus providing greater opportunity for younger players.
The Band has performed with some of the greatest names in the classical music and entertainment worlds including Roy Castle, Ted Heath, John Ogden, numerous military bands such as the Bands of the Scots Guards, Royal Marines and the Royal Artillery. The Band has performed for members of the Royal Family including Her Majesty the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
The work we do
We provide free tuition and have a disciplined and progressive core to which the young players can commit themselves. The band includes a large junior and learner section. This year members of the band enjoyed great exam success with the Associated Board with 30 of them achieving merit or distinction at grades 1 to 5. We currently train over 60 young people in brass playing and music.
The Band has made several continental tours, including Norway, Switzerland, West Berlin, Holland, Czech Republic, Southern Ireland and Northern Italy. The most ambitious tour was undertaken in 1990 when the Band toured the North Island of New Zealand for 3 weeks. The Band can boast 5 winners of the prestigious bi-annual competition, Young Musician of Mann.
Band members reaching the age of 20 move into the Manx Concert Brass (MCB). They have had extraordinary success since entering the UK Championships. They have been promoted through the sections, this year coming within a half point of promotion from the First Section to the top UK National Brass Band Championship Section.
How you can help
We are the only Island band without a town identity and without financial support there from. We have been leading a nomadic life ever since our first public concert in July 1970, storing our instruments and sheet music in a van and moving from one school gymnasium to another four times a week for rehearsal and tuition. It is time to find a permanent home - we have found the ideal building (made an indicative bid, subject to survey, which has been accepted), set ourselves a target of £400,000! (£43,000 has been raised so far). Please help us to achieve our target. We have set up our ‘Buy a Brick’ Appeal whether you are an individual or a business, you can make a long-lasting impression on our future!
'Buy a Brick'
- Clay brick level from just £2 per brick, buying 5 bricks at once will place you in our roll of honour ledger, a copy of which will be placed in a time capsule at our new home
- Bronze brick level just £2 a month over 3 years or a one off donation of £72 (£720 for corporate donations) we will place you in our roll of honour ledger and on our web site wall of fame
- Silver brick level £5 a month over 3 years or a one off donation of £180 (£1,800 for corporate donations), you will receive everything the bronze level offers and an invitation to the opening ceremony
- Gold brick level just £10 a month over 3 years or a one off donation of £360 (£3,600 for corporate donations), receiving everything the bronze and silver levels offer along with a place on our gold supporters plaque
A Standing Order Form can be downloaded from the ‘Downloads’ tab on our web page.
Donations: A donation can be made to the above address.
Thank you for your support.
