AS any musician knows, there are times when it really is an effort to attend practices. This is certainly true of Leyburn Band who get together not once, but twice every week.

With the advent of the lockdown they, along with the worldwide community of musicians, were suddenly denied these gatherings and would willingly battle the elements just to have one get-together.

As withdrawal symptoms kicked-in, with a little bit of Yorkshire grit, ingenuity and enthusiasm, Leyburn Band have now managed to keep up a musical connection. Thanks to the hard work, time and dedication of their conductor Rebecca Lundberg and her sister, bandmaster Emma, and the use of technology, the band can keep in touch and work constructively on their playing.

Lessons via Facebook on practice nights were held on how to practice scales and improve tone quality. Followed by tuning and an online quiz.

Many band members have also been involved in a social distancing performance. This was making a video of the band playing a piece of music. They rehearsed and recorded their parts individually, then the audio and video was put together afterwards.

Band President George Lundberg said: “We chose the piece 500 Miles, a favourite of ours that we play at Durham Miner’s Gala, which of course sadly has been cancelled this year.

“Most managed to take part, although we missed our solo horn player Anna Horsley, who has just welcomed the newest member of the Leyburn Band clan – Baby Quinn; we don’t know what instrument he’ll play yet though.”

Individual members of the band have also made their own videos for birthday greetings, practice routines, playing hymns and taking part in Clap for Carers, in which everyone can share.

Although the band won’t be performing at Ripon or Hardraw contests this year, everyone can still enjoy listening to the band in their socially-distancing video. It can be viewed on Leyburn Band Facebook page or You Tube.