The band are to be featured tonight on a BBC One TV programme and recently appeared in a double page spread in the Guardian Newspaper, courtesy of portraits by former Bass Tuba player turned professional photographer, Ben McMahon.

The One Show chose the band for its broadcast which goes out at 7pm to prove that brass bands are still alive and well, with groups like the local band highlighting a whole new generation of brass players being nurtured.

The show features Brassed Off and Ballykissangel star Stephen Tomkinson speaking to Junior Band founder and original musical director, Brian Robinson.

Stephen also interviewed a number of current and former band members for the item.

During the interviews, band members talked about how they got involved and why they enjoyed the band, as well as explaining to Stephen the great social scene the band provides for young people.
"It was a great experience for the band members to see how a short item for a television programme gets made. It was also good for the programme to be able to show a positive image of young people when so often we only hear negative things about them," said Band Treasurer, Robin Hoyle. "There's been a lot of media interest in the problems facing brass bands lately and it's true that it is an expensive business and many larger bands are constantly struggling to keep going. However, the Junior Band shows that with a positive approach towards young people, the brass band world still has a lot to offer for audiences and players alike. It's not just about keeping an old industrial tradition going, it's also about ensuring brass bands stay relevant to young people in the 21st century."
The filming was undertaken in and around Hebden Bridge and at the Band Room where a special rehearsal was filmed this week
"It was a bit of a challenge to get the band together at short notice and during the Easter holidays from school, but the band members were fantastic and very patient with the filming, even when they had to play the same number over and over again," commented Marc Collett, chairman of the band committee. "The crew from the BBC were very impressed by their professionalism and went away very happy with the material they were able to film. Once again the Junior Band has been a fantastic advert for our community."
Ben McMahon's portraits of current and former members of the band can be seen on the web at www.benjaminmcmahon.com. Locals can catch the Junior Band in action at the World Dock Pudding Championships on April 20 at Mytholmroyd Community Centre.