New players:

The band offers tuition and instrument loan free to all players. The band runs a starter group, beginner’s band, youth and training band and senior band. Players can join at all levels and progress between them. The band, has always had a name for attracting young players and helping them to develop their musical skills. Indeed this aspect of the band kept Porthywaen Band going when many other local village bands closed as the mines, quarries and local industries closed down. This unique ‘youth’ section of the band is thriving today with the band attracting players from all over the county. 

New players can come on a Friday night, be welcomed into the starter group, shown a range of different instruments and have a go on them, take the instrument home (with some homework) and over the next few weeks start learning to play! Often parents of children and young people who are interested in playing also take this wonderful opportunity to ‘have a go’ and end up playing in the band – hence the youth band is officially called the Youth and Training band as there are some adult members who are learning alongside the young people. We have a number of families within the band which adds to the family atmosphere, the age range and the number of adult volunteer supporters who help to run the band hall, ferry players and kit to concerts and keep the band functioning for the benefit of all. 

The younger members enjoy band because it’s fun to make music together, the music is varied and challenging, they enjoy meeting up with people from different schools and making new friends and because they like the Friday night tuck shop! 

Please contacts us so that we can arrange for you to come to the next suitable rehearsal to have a play.