The last two months have been a busy and historic time for the Great Western Youth Band from Swindon.

Euro champions

In May, the band, which numbers over 70 young players in 3 ensembles, completed its most ambitious project ever, when hosting the newly crowned European Champions, Cory.

Cory arrived fresh from Belgium and after an early start the young players spent the day in full band, sectional rehearsals and master classes with several of Cory principal players.

All in all it was a fantastic period for this young band who continue to set new standards through the dedication of its team of tutors and committee membersSpokesperson

Packed

In the evening a packed audience were then thrilled at the joint playing of both bands in concert under conductors John Winterflood and Dr Robert Childs.

In June the Youth Band travelled to Kneller Hall, and became the first ever youth band to perform in a Summer Concert in the park. It was an enormous honour for the young players to be the first to perform at such an event, a feature of military life for over 100 years.

Response

In response to their performance, Major Kevin Roberts, Chief Instructor at the Royal Military School of Music sent a message of congratulations to the band, praising their musical standards and deportment.

Fantastic

A spokesperson told told 4BR: "All in all it was a fantastic period for this young band who continue to set new standards through the dedication of its team of tutors and committee members."