Youth Band

Season updates

How to join

The Youth Band is open to brass and percussion players in middle school and high school. There's no cost — every accepted student receives a full scholarship. Here's what the process looks like.

Instruments

What to expect

• Weekly Saturday rehearsals (January–April)
• Sectional coaching from SRB principal players
• Masterclass clinics with guest artists
• British-style brass band repertoire — marches, overtures, solos, and new works
• Side-by-side rehearsals with the full SRB ensemble

Currently seeking

We have immediate openings for horn, tuba, and percussion players for the April concert. Send a one-minute etude video or four major scales to strawnalex6@gmail.com.

How the program works

The Youth Brass Band runs January through April each year. Students rehearse every Saturday, working through a full program of brass band literature under the direction of Alex Strawn and coached by the principal players of Salt River Brass.

A typical season

Rehearsals focus on building ensemble skills — balance, intonation, articulation, and musical phrasing. Students prepare British-style brass band repertoire: marches, overtures, concert solos, and contemporary works. The season includes masterclass clinics with guest artists (this year: U.S. Army Brass Quintet and ASU School of Music faculty) and concludes with two public concerts at the Ikeda Theater.

Mentorship model

Each section is coached by a principal player from Salt River Brass. Students work alongside professional musicians in sectional rehearsals and side-by-side full ensemble sessions. The goal is to give young players the experience of performing in a high-level ensemble — the same rehearsal process, the same stage, the same standards.

At a glance

Instruments

Contact

Alex Strawn, Youth Band Director
strawnalex6@gmail.com