{jathumbnail off}EYM was formed in 2009 by Lewis McGuinness and John Starling as a volunteer led, not for profit youth band. In late 2009 EYM became part of the Elmbridge Community Music Society and today operates as a proud member of Elmbridge Music - UK registered charity #1129321.
Sharing a common passion for music, Lewis and John have worked together on a number of musical projects. Conscious of a lack of opportunities for young people in the area to play music together, they formed EYM. George Boote, a brass teacher in the local area kindly assists EYM as do members of the Elmbridge Community Big Band, as and when required
Lewis McGuinness has been interested in music from as early as he can remember. He started with singing and piano at home and moved on to play tenor horn and trumpet at school under the expert guidance of UK jazz trumpeter, Bruce Adams. He now largely concentrates on playing piano, clarinet, saxophone and flute and arranging music to suit the abilities of the children he works with. He has been involved with numerous choirs and groups including the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chorus, the Philharmonia Chorus and the Glasgow University Cecilian Society . He plays Alto Sax with Elmbridge Community Big band.

John Starling has been playing the cornet since he was 8 after several years on the descant and treble recorders (but never at the same time). At the age of 15 he joined the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and played with them until he was kicked out (for being too old). At college, he played in a number of jazz and blues bands which culminated in a tour of Eastern Europe - a trip that cemented lifelong friendships with fellow band members. As a Dad he has supported the development of music at Cranmere Primary School and has recently started to learn the piano.

George Boote started playing the cornet aged 11 with the Dobcross Band. In 1978 he enlisted in the army as a junior musician. After serving with the Band of the Irish Guards he retired from the army in 2006. At present George is a freelance trumpet player and teaches at several schools in the Surrey area.
Liz Darby began playing the piano at age 5 and took up the flute when she was aged 10. She has enjoyed playing and performing a varied repertoire of both classical and jazz pieces with numerous ensembles, from secondary school, college and university orchestras, to amateur concert bands. She now plays flute for the Elmbridge Big Band and thoroughly enjoys her role in supporting the flute section of the Elmbridge Young Musicians.
Proving that music really is at the heart of everything it does Elmbridge Music is delighted to announce the introduction of its Musical Grants Scheme.
The charitable musical society would like to help and encourage people, regardless of their ability or social circumstances, to have access to and to participate in musical activities and is inviting applications for grants from individuals or groups within Elmbridge and the surrounding Boroughs who wish to improve their own or other people's lives through music.
Elmbridge Music has to-date raised over £88,000 for numerous and diverse charities through the performance of public concerts, and will continue to perform concerts to fund its Musical Grants Scheme. Grants of up to £1,000 for individuals and up to £2,000 for organisations will be available for people and projects which meet the Grants Scheme criteria. In addition to financial assistance, leaders and members of Elmbridge Music will be offering help in the form of mentoring and guidance. The society hopes to fund at least 5 projects every year.
"Our aim is and has always been to foster and promote an appreciation for music whilst at the same time giving something back to our community"says Cliff van Tonder, CEO and founder of Elmbridge Music.
"Because we love music it makes perfect sense to focus our fundraising to enable those who might not otherwise have an opportunity to experience for themselves the joy that music brings. If someone has the desire but not the means to form a band or a choir, perhaps learn to play an instrument or start a musical group amongst the elderly, disabled or under-privileged for example, we would urge them to get in touch with us and we will see what we can do to help."Please visit the Elmbridge Music Grants Scheme's dedicated website.
EYM now consists of 41 members, playing a multitude of different instruments. At this time we are looking for more bass instruments; tuba, euphonium, bass guitar, and strings. You are most welcome to give the band a try! Join here
Our music is typically in the broad genre of popular, jazz, swing and rock music. We tend to perform numbers ranging from the 60's through the 90's, musicals and popular bands