About Us

The Hyde Street Youth Band (HSYB Inc.) is based in the Raleigh Road Activity Centre in Maribyrnong, which is an inner-Western suburb of Melbourne, Australia.  Click here for details on how to find us.

Although HSYB Inc. members are primarily drawn from the surrounding area, there are no geographic restrictions, and we have members coming from a broad range of suburbs across Melbourne.

Formed in 1928 as the band of the (then) Hyde St. Primary School in Footscray, the HSYB  Inc. has long been associated with the tuition of young people in brass instruments. Many professional and well-known musicians have made their start with the HSYB, and we continue that great tradition by assisting our members to develop their musical skills in a professional and supportive environment. A brief history of the band can be found in the “History” section of this website.

The HSYB Inc. offers three youth-oriented music ensembles in the traditional British ‘brass band’ style; a “Brass Class” for children with little or no experience, the “Junior Band” for children with a moderate level of experience and the “Hyde Street Youth Band” for experienced musicians looking to challenge their skills.  Both the Brass Class and Junior Band provide a nurturing environment for inexperienced members to develop a basic level of skill before being promoted to the Youth Band.

The bands play a wide range of music; from classical/traditional, to marches and hymns, as well as more contemporary music and popular movie themes.

Statement of Purpose:

Community

We reflect our local community and welcome everyone – Hyde Street Youth Band aims to reflect our local community in its membership.  Through engagement strategies, and by creating a universally welcoming and a culturally safe environment, we aim to reflect the diversity in our community, particularly in terms of gender, ethnicity, disability and sexual preference.

We provide a place for all skill levels – Hyde Street Youth Band will provide a pathway for all musicians from entry-level opportunities for absolute beginners through to our Youth Band who compete at the national level. We offer a combination of ensembles that means there is a fulfilling place for every skill level.

We contribute actively to our community – Hyde Street aims to be an asset for the local community through regular performances and other engagements in our local area. Hyde Street Youth Band will proactively reach out to families in the local area, for example through local schools, to increase awareness of brass band music making and the possibilities of joining the Hyde Street Youth Band.

Mastery

We foster musical mastery – Making music is a skill that requires positive energy, tremendous dedication over time and specialist support.  The environment, people and processes of Hyde Street Youth Band are focused on helping children achieve the life-affirming satisfaction of continually reaching new levels of mastery, surprising even themselves.

We build life skills – Hyde Street Youth Band fosters life-long learning and teaches a set of skills that will help children throughout their lifetimes: instrumental mastery, ensemble music-making, focused collaboration and community building.

Joy

We foster joy and wellbeing – Making music in a group is joyful.  Every part of Hyde Street Youth Band is focused on harnessing children’s innate love of and need for community, mastery and creative outlets.

We provide a safe and nurturing environment – The environment, people and processes of Hyde Street Youth Band will always provide a safe and supportive environment for the children in the band, as well as their families, and staff (paid and volunteer).

We put the class in brass – Though they have deep roots in our community, we recognize that Brass Bands are not mainstream in Australia.  Hyde Street Youth Band will continue to demonstrate the joy of brass band music-making through varied repertoire, engagement with the brass band community across Australia and a focus on fun.

We are creative, responsive and busy – We understand that the joy of music-making for children is enhanced through providing a variety of opportunities and activities.  Hyde Street Youth Band will continue to organize and participate in camps, competitions, concerts, outdoor performances, marches, soirees, celebrations and other events.

 

Code of conduct

  1. We act in the best interests of the band
  1. We act with honesty and integrity
  1. We maintain a safe nurturing environment for all our members
  1. We maintain respect and confidentiality
  1. We comply with relevant laws and policies
  1. We act in accordance with our values at all times

Promotion and Grading Process

To help members understand how and when children will be promoted from the Junior Band to the Youth Band, a process has been developed which clearly outlines the steps involved as well as the reasoning. This process applies to new band members as well to determine which band they will join when they first become a member of the organisation.

Click here for the Promotion and Grading Process

Click here for the Promotion and Grading Process Flow Chart