The John Mallinson Youth Band (JMYB) is an intermediate (AMEB grades 4-5 or equivalent) 55 piece wind symphony. 

It is JMYB’s primary purpose to be that next step.  Many musicians will find that their school music programs will be educational and challenging only up until a point – and this is by no means the school’s fault.  Schools must cater for all levels and so they select music which allows the greatest number to participate.   Most school ensembles play music of about a grade three standard.  Many students do not have musical aspirations, they just see music as a fun pastime and nothing more, which is fine.  JMYB on the other hand is pitched at students who aspire to a professional musical career and who are either already beyond the level of the school ensemble or are simply anxious to play more diverse music in their spare time.  JMYB also has the added advantage of being able to draw on a very wide number of fine young musicians from all over the metropolitan region.

 JMYB is a place for like-minded children to meet, make friends and contacts which may prove invaluable in their future.  A band is as good as its students, and because we are filled with eager musicians, we are that next step, beyond what school bands offer.  We will provide fun music which progresses in difficulty throughout the year and sectional tuition.  Of course this will increase the standards of school ensembles, because the experience students gain in JMYB can only benefit their school bands – and it is compulsory that our students remain in their school ensembles.  By the end of the year our students’ musicianship and individual abilities will have developed far beyond that which they could achieve with just one-on-one lessons.

We have a rich music library filled with contrasting compositions, from Baroque to Chinese 20th Century music; we have a bit of everything from everywhere.  So students will see many diverse genres and gain understanding of these genres’ differences – like the difference between a British f and an American f  (it’s shocking how many people don’t know, and it’s one of the most basic differences musicians need to be aware of!).

Plus, if we have 55 musicians, why can’t we really take advantage of the diversity and use them to their full potential??  Within JMYB, there will be the Mallinson Brass Ensemble, the John’s Bones (trombone quartet) and the JM Sax Quartet, the Mallinson Trumpeters, JM Percussion, the John Mallinson Clarinet Choir, the Mallinson Flute Choir, and the Mallinson Jazz Combo. 

Our musicians will be exposed to as many musical experiences as possible, to optimise their development, and give them a great time.