The variety and versatility of wind instruments, notably the flute, clarinet, saxophone and trumpet, make these instruments particularly popular among aspiring young musicians. Older pupils (12 years +) can start learning a wind instrument and still make a success of it, in spite of having started with music tuition rather late in life.
The conventional symphony orchestra usually has only three players in each instrument in the wind sections. This does not provide sufficient opportunities for all pupils to play their instruments together with other young musicians, especially if they are still learning. Symphonic wind bands, like the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Wind Band, create far more opportunities for wind players to perform together in an orchestra setting.
The Wind band often takes their music to local schools (see School tours). By catering for a broad spectrum of tastes, the members of the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Wind Band perform an important educational task as a service to the community.