THINKING OF JOINING US?

If you're thinking of joining the band and you're not sure how
or what to do, here's some information about us and what we do.
How much it will cost you and what we expect from you.

You can join the band if you are between 10 and 18, but you will never be asked to leave when you get older, that's where you learn leadership skills and hopefully you can then assist the band with the new crop of youngsters.

WHEN THE BAND MEETS
The band meets twice a week - 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday's and Friday's.
The band meet at St Mary's Primary School, Chanters Road, Bideford.

Just come along on one of those nights and we'll be happy to show you
what we do so you can see if you like it.

The first hour of the night is spent in separate groups learning and
teaching new tunes. We then have a break for refreshments, which are free to
the youth members. For the last part of the evening the whole band join
together and we make some noise.

WHAT IT WILL COST YOU
All it will cost you is one pound a week, yes just one pound, and a small joining fee.

When you come along you'll have four free weeks to decide if you would like to join
the band or not and if we think you'll be suitable to join us. You'll then have to pay a
five pound joining fee and from then on it's just one pound a week.

The band will pay for everything else you need - Travel to engagements, Instrument and
Uniform right down to your socks and shoes.

When the band travels away for the weekend we may ask for a small amount of money to
keep the costs down and show commitment to the trip.

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU
Becoming a member of the band does take commitment and we do expect regular
attendance and even some practice at home. From our experience the people that
can only come once a week or don't come on a regular basis don't make it.

It does cost the band a lot of money to keep running, uniform alone costs the band
hundreds of pounds per person. We need to earn money to pay for everything
and the main way we do this is by playing in carnivals and events throughout the
South West. So when you've learnt how to march and play your instrument you'll be given
your uniform and from then on expected to attend most of the bands engagements.
It is important that we give a good performance at engagements as these lead to new
engagements and more money for the band and trips overseas.

So there it is, not really that complicated, just turn up, pay a pound a week
and we'll teach you to play the pipes or drums, give you a uniform and take you
to perform all over the South West, easy - We'll see you next week!