YOUNG musical maestros are preparing to mark the tenth anniversary of their much-loved group with a special celebration this week.
Riverside Youth Band are celebrating their tenth anniversary with a special concert in Port Glasgow's Community Campus on Friday at 7.30pm.
Their champion brass band will take to the stage alongside the training one and youngsters from the Riverside Rookies, under the baton of musical director Mark Good and his wife Laura.
The evening will also include the world premiere of a new commission for the local band by Scottish composer Alan Fernie, which pays tribute to the organisation's local roots.
Mark, who has been with the band since 2015, said: "During the height of the pandemic, Riverside worked hard to maintain our momentum.
"Despite not meeting in person, we actually saw our membership grow during that time.
"We are delighted to be able to take to the concert platform again, especially in our tenth anniversary year.
"From pop tunes to club anthems, film music to brass band repertoire new and familiar, the concert will include something for all tastes."
Band members Libby Hunter, Scott Smith, Abbie Arkless and Cameron Mitchell are desperate to get back on stage.
Libby, 18, who has been with the band for the full ten years, also helps out with the Rookies, a musical introduction group for youngsters.
She said: "I've been here since more or less the start, so it is special to be performing in the concert.
"It is nice to get back to doing these things and it will also be our Riverside Rookies' first proper public performance."
The tenth anniversary comes during a busy spell for the band, with the young people recently enjoying a trip to Perth to watch the renowned Black Dyke Band and a performance in Birmingham's Symphony Hall with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland.
Duncan Galbraith, chairman of RYB, told the Tele: "From its formation right up to the present day, Riverside Youth Band has offered a welcoming place for young people from Inverclyde and beyond to develop their music-making, regardless of their postcode or life experience.
"Our tenth anniversary gives us time to reflect on the highlights of the past decade but we won’t be resting on our laurels, instead we look forward to pressing ahead by inspiring even more young people on their way to what will hopefully be a lifetime of involvement in music."
Tickets for Friday's concert cost £10, while those aged 12 and under go free. Seats can be purchased from bit.ly/3NjLxLN
Share