About Us

We proudly introduce the Youth Bands Program.  We are a non-profit musical educational organisation, and we currently offer one ensembles:  The John Mallinson Youth Band (AMEB grade 4-5 or equivalent). This is a 55 piece symphonic band and is currently working towards it's upcoming concerts with the "City of Kingston Massed Bands Festival," on August 2nd, a joint concert with the "Croydon Wind Symphony" and Brian Hogg on September 12, the "Monash Philharmonic Mjusic Festival" in October, and work in the Melbourne International Festival of Brass. YBP also offers solo opportunities, and both chamber ensembles and jazz combos are drawn from our members.  Furthermore we wish to offer a senior wind band, the Victorian Youth Wind Ensemble (AMEB grade 6+ or equivalent) in 2010, if enough applications come in.

We are here to provide young people with the high level musical education, experience, exposure and enjoyment which they deserve.  Our goal is to compliment what schools already offer their students, and to go beyond that, to provide young musicians with the high standard music and challenges they struggle to find elsewhere. All participants in our program are members and are welcome to be directly involved in the management of the organisation.  Furthermore, for our more senior musicians we offer tutoring opportunities, which will give them priceless experience that they can carry with them into their musical careers.

We offer a variety of performance opportunities, and aim to develop active relationships with the wider community.

The musical development of a young musician is a long and difficult process, but highly rewarding.  It is not something that can be achieved alone.  Instead, broad ensemble experience and exposure is vital.  Our program offers a high standard of sectional tuition and regular master classes with high profile musicians.  As a result of these exciting and diverse experiences, young musicians will develop and flourish within our program. 

The only thing YBP needs is students to come and make music with us, students are encouraged to come and try us out for an afternoon!

We rehearse on Saturday afternoons, at 2:00pm until 5:30pm, in Mount Waverly Secondary College's Music Department.

Past Events:

The John Mallinson Youth Bands premiered at the City of Kingston massed bands festival, Aug 2nd.

On September 12th JMYB performed in a joint Concert with the Croydon Wind Symphony and the New Horizons Band.

After the holidays we went down to Monash University to perform in the Monash Philharmonic Music Festival on the 10th of August.

During the Holidays our Brass students had the privilege of participating in a masterclass with the Vienna Trombone Quartet, in the Melbourne International Festival of Brass. We were honoured to have that experience, and thank Allans Music for providing the opportunity.

Future:

We are now preparing for our final concert, which will be in late december, tbc. We are working on Holst's 2nd Suite in F, A medley from the 2009 Star Trek film, a transcription of Beethoven's 7th Symphony, 2nd Movt, 'If I Didn't Have you', from Monsters Inc, and much more!