There is no lower age limit on applying for Scratch Band Membership but if you are under 18 we will contact your legal guardian before adding your details to our records. As long as you are under 21 at the time of application you may apply.

Scratch Band members are selected by the five musicians leading the Saturday Night Gala.(https://www.rainfordjunction.com/saturday-night-gala)

After your application is received we will contact you to open a discussion, give you a point of contact and answer any immediate questions you or your guardian may have.

Applications for the festival will be closed at the end of April. However applications will still be in place for the Youth Fund, the process is the same.

The band leaders will be making a final decision on scratch band members at the end of May after which you will be added to a WhatsApp group with your band leader. This will allow you to decide on songs, solos and anything else you want to discuss.

On Friday 3rd July we will have a welcome barbecue for all youth fund applicants attending the festival and scratch band leaders. There'll be picking and dancing and a chance to meet your fellow band members and leaders in person for the first time. On Saturday, after a leisurely start you'll be rehearsing three or four songs to play in the Saturday Night Gala after which there will be an awards ceremony when all prizes and sponsorship funding will be presented.

You don't need to book a ticket, we have the details we need from the youth fund application form. If you are under 18 we also have your guardian's name. We may ask you for your accommodation details during the selection process. If you're under 18 and bringing more than one adult with you please ask them to select the "Bresfest" community on the ticket page (https://www.rainfordjunction.com/tickets)and make a note in the comments section so we can make sure you're all in the same place or close together.