A LOCAL marching band is looking to almost double its members to ensure it can continue to take part in key Island events.
The Jersey Scout Band – which was founded by Stan Barnard and debuted at Liberation Day in 1970 – plays at events across the Island and internationally.
It currently has 16 members, but band leader Mick Marett said he would like at least 15 new players, which would let it return to the Battle of Flowers.
He said: “Nowadays, young people have so much to do. There’s so many activities for young people to do to what there was 30, 40 years ago. That’s a problem we are coming up against, that youngsters do something every night of the week now.”
Mr Marett said that glockenspiel, drum, trumpet and cymbal players in particular are wanted, adding that not only will it help young musicians progress through music grades, but the band also teaches them “to march, be smart, and be part of a team”.
Despite being a marching band, it is not military based, so the Thursday evening rehearsals are “quite relaxed,” he said.
“We try to keep up with the times,” Mr Marett explained, stating that the group play a range of music from classics like When the Saints Go Marchin’ In to ABBA’s Lay All Your Love On Me.
Anyone from the age of eight can join, whether they are a seasoned performer or have never played an instrument as the band offers teaching.
Mr Marett is the only remaining “original” member of the band, having been part of it since its first outing 56 years ago. He even met his wife, Christine – band secretary and trumpeter – when they were teenagers, “all because of scouting,” he said.
The Scout Band meet on Thursday evenings, with learners playing from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and the main band between 7pm and 8.30pm at the Kenneth Faucon Memorial Hall on Rue des Pres, St Saviour. Anyone interested in joining is asked to email Mr Marett at mickmarett@gmail.com.
