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Laureldale
Brass Ensemble
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As
part of Comber Silver Band's commitment to the future, in the Spring of 1997
we contacted several local schools and invited interested children to come along
to the band. Several
children joined to form our junior training band and called it Laureldale Brass
Ensemble Ewan Easton worked extremely hard with the Ensemble and ran several
very well attended workshops for young people.
Laureldale Ensemble is Comber
Silver Band's 'B' Band. It is primarily a youth training band for CSB
but anyone interested in playing a brass instrument is welcome to join. We realise
that there are adults who would like to be involved in brass music - it is never
too late to learn!! There may also be occasions when members of CSB find
it more suitable to commit to the 'B' band, our Ensemble, perhaps because of
extra pressures at work, convalescing after illness or whatever ......
We are constantly amazed by the unlimited abilities of children and we cherish
the opportunity to offer them the experience of making music together.
The benefits of two bands within Comber Brass are huge, giving pleasure not
only to those involved in serious brass band contesting but also setting aside
time for young people to share their music with older members and in the community.
Several of the young people who joined LBE now play with the senior band, others
have gone elsewhere with their music, some enjoy playing brass as their second
instrument, some now assist as librarians, instructors or with administrative
tasks and even instrument maintenance.
Since September 2004 members of Comber Silver Band started to supervise all
rehearsals of our junior band, Laureldale Brass Ensemble. The ensemble is now
taken by Mr Robert Mercer, ably assisted by Sarah Mercer and Ryan Wilken, with
guest horn soloist Ian Roberts. We are still wanting to make music fun for our
young people.