Aims This project came about for a number of different reasons. Here are a few of them.... - to encourage and support creative music-making in the community, with emphasis on the development of compositional and improvisational skills. - to identify young musicians who have high levels of enthusiasm and skill and offer them support, contacts and new opportunities, both within the band and beyond. - to provide performance opportunities both for the band as a whole and for related small groups and offshoots from it. - to provide contact and networking opportunities for young people - particularly to help them meet, socialise and work with those outside of their immediate social or peer group. - to offer specialist workshops and masterclasses with expert musicians - to create an environment in which older and more experienced players are given the opportunity to take on a mentoring role as well as to develop skills in music facilitating and band leading. - to focus on the development of strong ensemble playing and good team spirit within the band. - to encourage a culture of excellence and professionalism.