Members of the Forest of Dean Area Youth Brass Band will be celebrating a great 2008 for the band after their final performance of the year this weekend.

2008 has been a year to remember for the band and their Musical Director Kristyann Symonds.

Flying start

Formed in September 2007, the band, drawn from members of the brass and percussion section of the Forest of Dean Area Wind band plus local brass bands, got off to a flying start in February 2008.

They won Section B for youth, training and unregistered bands, of the Gloucestershire Brass Band Association Entertainments Contest with adjudicator David Hirst awarding the band a Gold Certificate in their first public performance.

Success

Buoyed by their success, in March the band took part in their first ever Music for Youth Regional Festival Series, which was held in Cwmbran.

As a result of their captivating performance the band were delighted to be one of only nine bands from the whole of the UK invited to perform in the Music Centre Category at the National Festival of Music For Youth 2008.

The performance at Symphony Hall was undoubtedly the highlight of the year for all band members and their supporters and an experience never to be forgotten4BR

Highlight

The performance at Symphony Hall was undoubtedly the highlight of the year for all band members and their supporters and an experience never to be forgotten.

Members of the band have also enjoyed much personal success too.

Young stars

Soprano player Samuel Davis (18) has been accepted at Bath University, Principal Cornet Matthew Hurst (16) has been offered a place in the National Youth Wind Ensemble of Great Britain, and Principal Trombonist Rhiannon Symonds (11), performed as a Regional Finalist in the Young Musician of Wales 2009 competition where she was the only brass finalist and youngest competitor. In addition she has recently been given the position of Principal Trombone in the National Children’s Wind Orchestra of Great Britain.

Looking forward

The Band are looking forward to an exciting 2009 with performances at the Gwent Youth Brass Band Festival in January and the Gloucestershire Brass Band Association Entertainments Contest in February already planned.