The history of one of the island’s best-known brass bands has been told in a film, which is to be released tomorrow (Friday).

’50 Years of Music’ tells the story of the creation of the Manx Youth Band and Manx Concert Brass and has been created to mark both the 50th and 25th anniversary of the formation of both the brass bands.

The short, promotional film has been produced and directed by Bethany White and Patrick Crellin, from the island-based film makers Dark Avenue Films and narrated by Jessica Mackie, and will be released tomorrow (Friday).

The Manx Youth Band was formed in 1970 by local musicians Jim Crosbie MBE to encourage young people to take up playing brass band instruments and music.

Following Jim’s death in 1981, band member and instructor Ian Clague picked up the reins and led them through several momentous highlights, including playing for the Queen in 1989 and undertaking an arduous three-week tour of the North Island of New Zealand in 1990.

The Manx Youth Band have also performed in Norway, Switzerland, West Berlin,Holland and the Czech Republic in 1998, alongside a concert tour of Northern Italy in 2001.

In 1995, with members leaving the Manx Youth Band when they reached 18 years old, the decision was made to form Manx Concert Brass, specifically for the adult players.

Ian still leads both bands to this day and is interviewed in the film, along with the patron Sir Laurence New and composer Derek Broadbent, who has written music especially commissioned for the Manx Youth Band and Manx Concert Brass.

The film also covers the move to the band’s permanent home to the former Red Cross building on Derby Road, Douglas, which was rechristened the Jim Crosbie Memorial bandroom.

l The film will be available to view on YouTube and on the group’s Facebook page.