Exclusive Interview with the founder and conductor of The London Youth Concert Band, Fred Slide
Introduction:
Mumsinthewood interviewed the incredibly inspiring Mr Fred Slide, on the 05th of September 2023. It wasn’t easy to pin him down. Between the resonating and wonderfully warm tones of familiar music echoing through the rehearsal hall and a baton that never seemed to stop waving, figuring in an interview was not necessarily the easiest. When you meet Mr Slide, you instantly know why. His dedication to this phenomenal wind orchestra, the music he is producing and the well being of his young students comes first. This is an orchestra that was founded and is run by Mr Fred Slide, an orchestra that is expanding and going from strength to strength in such a short time that it takes your breath away. Mr Slide’s main aim? To provide the children under his care with as much musical experiences as he can. The exposure and experiences that these young people who come together weekly, are privy to, under the guidance of it’s founder, is in itself incredible.
Always on the go, when you first meet Fred Slide, what instantly strikes you is the clear passion, the constantly whirring mind that is overflowing with ideas, the firm optimism and belief in what he is doing and the young musicians he is doing it for and above all, the fierce dedication. His belief in his band and in his players is palpable. It drives him on and inspires him to push for more for this band of musically gifted youngsters…every day…from organising concerts in the park to playing with the Cold Stream Guards, what Fred has accomplished in just over a year is astounding. A testament to the dream he’s had slowly but surely becoming a reality. In a world that seems to be slowly disintegrating around us, he has created a community and a space for young musicians where they can experience the very best of music making, of coming together with other like minded musicians to create and play and most importantly, to belong. What better example can you set than that? Mr Slide believes with his whole heart and indeed, with his whole being, that the London Youth Concert Band, (LYCB) is going places and when you are privy to a behind the scenes conversations, you understand why. He will take this band places, through sheer will if nothing else. But he has much to rely on. A dedicated team of supporters who volunteer their time and support, parents who believe in him and a community of 50+ young musicians who go into a three hour rehearsal with a smile on their face on a Friday evening after school. 50+ young musicians whom wild horses couldn’t keep away. It is this level of commitment, energy and enthusiasm that Mr Slide generates..easily. Because those who work with him, also believe in his infectious ambitions. We wish Mr Slide and the LYCB, only the very best. It is truly heartening to see what Mr Slide has accomplished and to parents of other young musicians, I would encourage all parents around North London to look up the band’s performances and go along. You will not be disappointed.
Question:
Can you tell us how you first got into music? What instrument / s do you play and what first inspired you to play? What attracted you to play your instrument of choice?
Answer:
I first learned to play the recorder in a whole class teaching environment – I could get the loudest squeak!
When I was about 9, my best friend at school (who had been playing the trombone for a year) told me there was a spare school trombone and asked if I wanted to have a go as the school was looking to fill the place. There were 3 of us that went for the 1 place and so we were each given a couple of days to try and get some notes out of the instrument and then had to play to the teacher (technically my 1st ever audition!) and I got chosen out of the 3! You never realise at the time how something so relatively minor can redefine the course of your life. I was very lucky to get this opportunity, as back in those days our family didn’t have any money (single parent with 3 kids) yet instrumental lessons were free. If they weren’t free, I would never have tried the trombone and be where I am today.
Question:
What do you do in your free time if you have any?
Answer:
I play with numerous groups on the trombone, including orchestras, brass groups and run a function band playing at large weddings and corporate events. I’ll be shortly playing in a number of musicals at local theatres.
Question:
What other interests do you have?
Answer:
Spending time with family is really important and when I have time I love to watch football
Question:
Can you tell us a little about your family? Do your children play instruments?
Answer:
My wife is an amazing primary school teacher and my biggest supporter. My son, Jared, plays trombone and before going to university performed in bands that I conducted.
Question:
What inspires you? What is the dream?
Answer:
For me, context is so important, as it’s shaped me as a person; I faced lots of challenges and difficulties aged 11-16 and it was performing music and playing in bands that had such a positive effect and helped pull me through. It’s not just the making music part, but I came to realise the impact it had (and still does today) on other areas of my life as a student (confidence, teamwork, the link between hard work and high performance, new friendships, etc). Then on top of that I have been lucky to have had the most amazing experiences that wouldn’t be there without music, eg I’ve conducted for royalty, being flown out to Monte Carlo to perform and band tours across Europe. Of course, the highlight has to be starting my own youth concert band.
So, I feel compelled to give our young people the opportunity to benefit in the same way as I did through playing an instrument in bands, and help have a positive impact on their lives.
The Dream – for the importance of youth music making to be recognised by the wider society (general public, government, media, authorities, etc), such that it becomes a key part of a child’s education and is accessible to all that want to try.
Question:
When was the idea for the London Youth Concert Band born and how long have the band been together?
Answer:
I decided in summer 2022 to leave the local music service for whom I had been with for 30 years. Incredibly, the students (and their parents) of the band I was conducting at the time asked me to form my own band, and with such overwhelming support I thought ‘why not?!’ So in July 2022 London Youth Concert Band was formed and in September 2022 we held our first rehearsal.
Question:
What is the criteria for joining the band and what is the approximate standard young musicians should be at?
Answer:
Criteria – students want to play challenging music, commit to the band, enjoy great performances and have fun
Standard – for players grade 6 and above
Question:
How many players are part of the band? What is the commitment required from young musicians who may be interested in joining?
Answer:
Incredibly, we now have around 65 musicians.
Attend regular rehearsals every Friday, practice music in their own time between rehearsals and want to be part of something very special
Question:
What genres of music do you play? Can you give us a flavour of the different experiences, concerts and venues the band plays at?
Answer:
It’s important that we cover a wide range of repertoire so that students get to experience and learn how to play different genres – classical, original works for wind band, contemporary works, jazz, music from stage and screen
We’ve performed at a professional theatre to celebrate our first year, concerts at prestigious bandstands including Regents Park and Golders Hill Park on Hampstead Heath, played to patients and staff at a local hospice at Xmas time (in the freezing snow but it was worth it), collaborations with other groups (including The Purcell School and the Band of the Coldstream Guards) and run our own ‘Inspire Workshops’ to motivate younger children to keep working hard on their instrument by inviting them to sit amongst our players and experience what it’s like to be part of LYCB.
Question:
What is the contribution the band makes to the local community?
Answer:
We want to inspire young children to play music (because of the benefits it will have on their lives) so our Inspire Workshops and public performances help with that. We’ve already supported local primary schools at their events and Xmas time gives us the opportunity to bring festive cheer to local hospitals, hospices, and care homes.
Question:
What do you feel you achieve by bringing children and young teenagers together to make music?
Answer:
Raising musical standards is an obvious one, but I love seeing how playing music in bands helps to develop children into well rounded and responsible young adults.
I also think it’s brilliant to show how what seems impossible can actually be achieved by hard work and the right mindset.
I like the diverse mix of our young people in the band; no matter what your background, religion, personal experiences, etc we all come together, making new friendships with likeminded people and to create something very special.
Question:
What future plans do you have for the band? Are there plans to tour nationally or internationally? Where would you like to be in 05 years?
Answer:
We have an incredibly talented pool of players and I want to give them the best experiences possible. I also want London Youth Concert Band to be known nationally, showing others what is possible with youth music making
Tours: We are planning our first tour to Belgium August 2024. I’m also hoping we can collaborate with other bands/ music centres throughout the UK
Question:
What would you like to say to other young musicians who may be interested but don’t have the confidence or have other restrictions in coming forward to join the LYCB or any other band?
Answer:
Give it a try! Always put yourself out there and give it a go; never regret in the future that you had an opportunity but didn’t take it
All our members are welcoming of new people, so even though It can be overwhelming at first, new students quickly settle in. It’s ok to be in awe at the many older and amazing musicians, as everyone you will see in the band have all been in your position. Me included!
Talk to us – we can help make things work
Question:
What do you feel is the most important message you would like all parents and children who are or are interested in becoming musicians to hear?
Answer:
The power of music is amazing, and to play in a band with others can be an incredibly uplifting experience
I would like parents who are not musical themselves to know that participating in a band is not just about playing in concerts; you are giving a gift to your child where the experiences / learning can set them up for life because of all the significant benefits that come from playing music.
