

Blazing Sounds Band
We are a Brass, Wind and Percussion band based in Ilfracombe, Devon, United Kingdom.
Ilfracombe & District Youth Band is a registered charity, No. 1050043
The Ilfracombe & District Youth Band “Blazing Sounds” welcomes young people aged six to eighteen, living in Ilfracombe and the surrounding villages. If any adults would like to join, bandmaster Emma would be very pleased to hear from you as well.
Blazing Sounds was originally formed in 1979 as a marching band, but the majority of our performances these days take place on the Ilfracombe band stand, although we sometimes give static performances in other places as well.
Together, Apart
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have continued practicing on Zoom, and have now made four videos together. Below is our Christmas video, then our World Tour Video and then our versions of “Summertime” by Gershwin and the Kool and the Gang song “Celebration”.

How to
Join Us
If you are already having individual music lessons, you will find that joining in with other players will help you to make progress more quickly.
But if you have never played before, don’t worry, we can give beginners instruction on brass and woodwind instruments.
If you haven’t got an instrument of your own we have a wide selection of band instruments available on loan – e.g. trumpet, cornet, saxophone, clarinet, trombone, euphonium, bell lyre.
Depending on your existing ability, you can start in the Training section of the band. More confident musicians can progress to the Main Band and play in public performances.

Band Practices
Normally
Band practice is held during school term time, from 6:30pm until 8pm on Thursday evenings in Music Room 2 at Ilfracombe Academy, Worth Road, Ilfracombe.
The Music
If you can already play, or you want to start learning, just drop in and see us during practice times.
We play traditional marching tunes, songs from well-known musicals, theme tunes from films, pop music, and even the occasional classical number like Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”. Come along and give it a try.
COVID-19
Due to COVID-19, it is not possible to meet together for band practice nights at the moment.
We are, however, having on-line band practice via Zoom on Thursday evenings. Contact us for more details of how to join in.