Created in 2019, Loz’banda seeks to attract new musicians. From this month of January, the musical group will offer to pay half of the registration at the Lozère Departmental School of Music to those who join its ranks.
After their participation in the Christmas parade, a short period of rest begins for the Loz’banda musicians. But behind the scenes, the Lozère traveling brass band is not really idle. For several months, the association’s office has been working to establish a partnership with the Lozère Departmental School of Music. Objective: find new recruits among the 850 students.
A desire to rejuvenate the workforce
The band currently has 35 musicians. Its members would like to be able to integrate around ten more, and if possible young people. “We realize that the average age is quite high, we would like to get younger“, notes the secretary of the association, Alain Beral. Loz’banda has therefore decided to finance half of the registration at the music school of those who join them.
A particularly advantageous agreement: beyond the financial aspect, this partnership allows young people to benefit from the experience of more experienced musicians and offers them the opportunity to perform in public.
A win-win agreement
“Banda music is not necessarily what comes first to mind for music schools, but it is still music, even if the approach is different, advances the secretary of the association. It’s very user-friendly.“In exchange, the musicians will have to commit to being diligent in rehearsals and participating in a few outings.
-The only conditions to benefit from it: live in one of the municipalities that are members of the music school and have a minimum level. “You must have done at least one or two years of music“, specifies Alain Beral.
“The counter to gloom”
The association was born in 2019 from the will of Alain Beral and Philippe Bonnafous, the current president. Born in the Basque Country, Alain Beral wanted to bring to Lozère a little of this festive and friendly spirit so dear to his native land. Loz’banda strives to offer a modern repertoire, a clever mix between traditional banda songs and variety pieces. “It’s a way of showing that Lozère can be festive and in tune with the times. We take the opposite view of gloom.“
Around twenty concerts in the summer
After five years of existence, the bet seems to have paid off. The group is particularly in demand in the summer, particularly by small villages for their votive festivals. In 2024, he will give no less than twenty concerts, and even thirty the previous year.
Victim of her success, Loz’banda is even forced to refuse performances. “We also pay attention to our musicians who are amateursunderlines the secretary of the association. You can’t say yes to everything.“
