North Tyneside Steelband Charity no. 1059729
Albert Hall Schools’ Proms 2003, Music For Youth Festival 2003, 2004, 2005 National Youth Arts Festival 2000, 2002, (Millennium) Dome Performers of the Year 2000, National Steelband Festival 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995 Bookings: Karina Atkinson 0798 685 6783 karinaatkinson@hotmail.com
Sec: Debra Betham 0191 252 9853 iain.betham@hotmail.com
PRESS RELEASE 25 June 08
LARGEST EVER STEELBAND TO PLAY IN NORTH EAST.
Over 90 young musicians from nine steelbands in the region will play together this Friday 4th July as the largest steelband ever to perform in the region.
The event is the 2nd annual North Tyneside Festival of Steelbands, held this year as part of the Wallsend Festival, at Wallsend Memorial Hall, Station Road, Wallsend from 10am to 3pm.
Nine steelbands from Bishop Auckland, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Gatehead as well as North Tyneside, mostly from schools will be drumming up a storm. North Tyneside will be represented by North Tyneside Steelband training and intermediate bands based at the Langdale Cetre Howdon, and by Pink Panthers and Twisters Steelbands from Monkseaton Middle School
During the day, each band will play two short sets on their own before joining together to play prepared pieces. They will also have the chance to work with a different tutor for a short workshop.
NTSB musical director Dave Edwards explained ‘some of these young players are new to the world of steelbands and may not have even heard another one apart from their own before. Working with a different tutor will also be a new experience for many which will help to develop their musical skills.’
!4 year old steelband tutor Hannah Betham from Whitley Bay said ‘last years festival was really good but it rained; this year we’re indoors. My band are very excited about the festival – it should be a great day for them.’
11 year old steelbander Lauren Doyle-Davies from Wallsend said ‘it was great last year, there were so many players, I’d never seen so many before, and we all played together, I enjoyed that.’
Councillor Eddie Darke, cabinet member for Safe and Active Communities will present trophies and certificates, provided by the British Association of Steelbands, to all participating bands and players during the afternoon.
The event is being supported by Steelbands North, Wallsend Festival, British Association of Steelbands and North Tyneside Steelband.
At the same venue from 7.30-11pm the NTSB Performance band will be launching their new cd ‘….bring a smile to your ears’ with bar, refreshments and quiz; entrance is free, but please book a ticket on 0775 360 4281 or dave@steelbandsborth.org.uk
NTSB will be representing the region later in the summer at the National Music for Youth Festival in Birmingham on July 10th where they will be one of only 5 steelbands from the whole country invited to take part; they will also be at the Great Yorkshire Run on 7th September in Sheffield, as well as many local events including –
Sat 5 July Mothers Union Conference Newcastle City Hall
Mon 21 July opening of Whitley Bay Statepark
And three community picnics at Dudley, North Shields and Wideopen on 2nd, 9th and 16th August.
Young tutors and steelpanners at last years festival at the Rising Sun
North Tyneside Steelband is a registered educational charity promoting tuition, rehearsal and performance opportunities for young people and others on steelpan and related instruments. We run weekly beginners, intermediate, adult and performance sessions in Wallsend, supported by North Tyneside Council, and have 4 outreach facilities across the north east enabling a total of over 300 players to access steelband activities
Chair: Lesley Darling, Secretary: Debra Betham, Treasurer: Mike Gilberg, Committee: Karina Atkinson, David Beasley, Carol Brown, Jenny Gilberg, Sue Higginbottom, Ewan Mood, Lauren Stead, Mandy Watters