Youth fanfare and drum bands

The youth fanfare band and youth drumband were both formed in 1995, to give young musicians a chance to make music in group, while assuring a "supply" of young players for the "adult" bands. Over the years, the musical level of the fanfare and drum band had become so high, that it was no longer possible for young members to join right away.

In the youth band, the starting musicians, who are taking music and instrument lessons at the local music school, are assisted by a few of the younger members of the main bands. After a few years in the youth band, when they have at least 5 years of musical experience, the young musicians are given the chance to go over to the "grown up" bands. Currently there are about 45 members in the youth fanfare band and 15 in the youth drumband.

The Youth Fanfare Band is conducted by Koen Maas. Koen plays soprano saxophone in Kempenbloei's Fanfare Band. He is a professional saxophone player as part of the "Bl!ndman" saxophone quartet and he teaches saxophone in Ghent and at the local music school of Noord-Limburg.

The Youth Drumband is conducted by Peter Thys. Peter is a professional drummer and percussionist who plays in musicals and a couple of bands. He is assited by Philip Baeken, who is currently studying at the Lemmensinstituut Conservatory of Music in Leuven.

The youth bands are not just about music, but also about fun. Therefore we try to organise several pleasant side-activities for the young musicians. In the past, we already went to Germany two times, were we made friends with the band from a small village called Dörenhagen. In 2003, for the first time a "music camp" was organised during the february school holidays. And in 2006 and 2008, we made a trip to Hungary to participate in the "Csipero" youth festival.

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