Thoresby Colliery Youth Brass Band is based in the North Nottinghamshire village Edwinstowe, the home of Robin Hood. It all started back in july 2000 at Thoresby social club with 19 willing young players from surrounding area and schools. Lead by their musical director Christine Gent who was currently playing solo horn in out senior band Thoresby Colliery Brass Band. Christine studied for a BA(Hons) in music at huddesfield and during this time undertook conducting lessons.
At this time the band was mainly out and about in their local community performing for community groups in Edwinstowe. As the band progressed their started to enter local music festivals, and with the leadership of christine the band started to win praise and prizes.
The band continued with the good work, and 2002 brought the band growing to impressive 33 members with some parents assisting with playing and tutoring. As well as the band growth some parents of the band decided to form a committee in 2002 to help out with the running of the band and fund raising events.
The band continue gaining confidence and in 2003 Christine lead them to their first competition in the unregistered section. On the 23rd November 2003 the band gained their first win in the unregistered section at the LBBA competition at Guthlaxton College in Leicester.
In January 2005 the band made they first appearance at the Butlins Mineworkers Brass Band Festival in Skegness, playing in the 4th registered section. then play very well and placed 8th.
by march the band had grown to 38 committed members and they continued performing in many concerts surrounding villages.
January 2006 saw the band back at the Butlins Mineworkers Brass Band Festival in skegness, playing in the 4th registered section. A celebration was in order as their became Butlins 4th section champions for the first time.
Also in the summer of 2006 some members travelled down to Wessex for the Wessex Band summer school.
January 2007 saw the return of the band at Butlins Mineworkers Brass Band Festival in skegness, playing in the 4th regiistered section. After another exciting and brillant performance the band became butlins 4th section champions for a second year.
The prizes continued throughout 2007 with prizes was won by Stefan Maddock and Martin benson at the Wessex Band summer school.
April 2008 saw Thoresby Youth Brass Band competing at the East Midlands Area competition, resulting in a 3rd place in the 4th registered section. this gave them an invitation to National Finals in Harrogate. so in November the band travelled to harrogate to compete in the National Brass Band champions of Great Britain.
The Band continue with the contesting in 2009, making appearance at Butlins mineworkers brass band festival and the Midlands area contest. The band earned a promotion and in January 2010 the band performed in their first 3rd section registered contest at the Butlins Mineworkers Brass Band Festival. Also in September of 2010 the band were back in to the celebration mood with their 10 years anniversary. As part of the celebrations they had a celebration party for all members (past and present) and supports of the band and then they performed in their own 10th anniversary concert with guests solo's Michael Dodd and Marc Walters.
The band returned to Butlins again in 2011 competing the 3rd section. The band are now strongly progressing in teaching young people to play brass instruments and with the help of Stan Lippeatt teaching in local schools and Christine lippeatt heading our beginners group on a Monday night before main band rehearsal. we have currently 22 new players from age 5yrs to 11yrs progressing very quickly and now some are joining in with the main band rehearsals, and will performing this December with the Thoresby Colliery Youth Brass Band Christmas concerts.
