About Bournemouth Youth Marching Band
BYMB is a traditional style youth marching band based at the Army Reserve Centre in Wallisdown Rd on the border of Bournemouth and Poole in Dorset. The Band's motto is Amici Per Musicam which means Friends Through Music.
Bands exist in every corner of the UK, with over 30,000 people of all ages and standards taking part in weekly activity – rehearsing, performing and providing entertainment for their local community.
We recruit members from across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole conurbation as well as Dorset and South Hampshire.
The Band is open to children from eight years of age. We welcome young musicians of all standards including beginners and teach them everything that they need to know.
From a Member ..... "I like being in the Band. I like playing the cornet. I have made lots of good friends and I really love playing in carnivals."
From another Member ....... "I like being part of BYMB because I like learning to play the drum and I feel accepted for being me and feeling part of a family."
From a Parent ..... "My daughter has learnt to read music and is enjoying playing the cornet. She loves being part of the Band. It’s her place where she can be herself and she feels safe."
"Along with the musical and drill instruction comes a strong sense of discipline, teamwork and sense of pride that is associated with being a part of something worth while and meaningful in the wider community. All of this is provided at a vastly reduced personal cost when compared to private musical tuition and the cost of purchasing an instrument." Band Sergeant Adrian Imm, Dip ABRSM, Royal Marines Band Portsmouth, The Royal Band
The Band is also a great opportunity for more experienced musicians to broaden and develop their playing skills. They also help to teach our younger members.
In addition to the military style band we have the Corps of Drums which comprises of drums and percussion. Our snare drummers also play Bb bugles.
On parades the Corps of Drums are at the front of the Band. Combined bugle and band marches are a popular feature of the Band's repertoire.
We also have a Fanfare Team using Eb Cavalry trumpets. These are mainly used for prestigious events and ceremonials.
The Band holds regular concerts and also performs in musical arena displays, carnivals, parades and ceremonial events. This capability makes us unique in the local area.
We have a close working relationship with our local branch of the Royal British Legion.
"In selecting the Band for both local and County events, we paid particular attention to their proven standards of performance and the range and regular updating of their repertoire from military classics to modern and popular themes. They also impressed with their versatility in switching from performing on the march to playing in concert at indoor and outdoor venues." Mr G Parrott, Dorset County Committee, Royal British Legion.
We provide a safe meeting place, instruments, music, uniform, tuition, training and the performance opportunities. Not to forget the range of youth activities and social events as well.
From a Parent ..... "The Band has given her so many opportunities she would not have had without being part of the BYMB family. Because that is just what it is, a family."
We have our own Youth Awards Programme which recognises and rewards commitment, effort and achievement. The Awards are presented at our Annual Awards Evening.
As a youth organisation our aim is to promote our members personal and social development. We work to build resilience, confidence, reliability, self-discipline, determination, commitment, leadership and character..
We give our members all the life skills that they will need to take their place in the community.
From a Parent "Without Band he would have been hanging around the streets doing god knows what so I am very thankful to the Band."
"Youth marching bands such as BYMB are a proven route into the professional military bands of the UK and has in fact seen three of it’s members join both the Royal Marines Band Service and The Corps of Army Music in the last year alone." Band Sergeant Adrian Imm, Dip ABRSM, Royal Marines Band Portsmouth, The Royal Band
Please click the link below to view all our testimonials.
If you have any questions about the Band or you have a child that may be interested in joining please email [email protected]
Why are we crowdfunding?
We are self funded and run entirely by volunteers all of whom are unpaid.
Since March the Band's income from performances and fundraising has been seriously impacted as a result of the Covid19 pandemic.
Months later, we still don’t know when normal performances and fund raising will be able to take place.
We are asking for donations to help ensure the future of the Band. We have not qualified for any Government support but we still have running costs that we have to meet.
Your donations will be used to help support the Band, our events, training and activities through 2021.
Please help us to make sure that we survive this crisis and still be there to be enjoyed by future generations.
Please donate, share this page widely and do what you can to help us
Thank you for your support.
#SaveOurBrassBands