Dobcross Youth Band has just celebrated its 21st anniversary.

The band has enjoyed many successes over the years and is still thriving with over 60 members under the direction of current MD, James Garlick.

Improving

James told 4BR: "We have entered in many contests over the last six months, each time improving from the one before. We were placed sixth at the North West areas and did well at Tameside and Holmfirth, beating many Third Section bands. At the Tameside Youth Contest our flugel player, Rebecca Maxwell was also awarded the soloist prize."

James addded: "We were also pleased to be awarded first place in the Youth Section at Holmfirth Contest where our principal cornet player, Rebecca Warrior, won the best soloist prize."

Top players

Over the past 21 years Dobcross players have gone on to play with the likes of Grimethorpe, Black Dyke, Fairies, YBS and Brighouse & Rastrick, as professional orchestras such as the BBC Philharmonic and the Halle.

This year the band are performing four concerts in Spain, whilst they will also be taking part in the Whit Friday contests too.

The band would like to thank all those that have helped support the band over the last 21 years and we look forward to another 21 years of supporting the youth of today making their way forward in the brass band movementJames Garlick

Conductor

The band is conducted by James Garlick who has spent the last nine years as a professional trombone player playing for the Halle Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Opera North. He is currently working as a primary school teacher in Oldham.

James added: "The band would like to thank all those that have helped support the band over the last 21 years and we look forward to another 21 years of supporting the youth of today making their way forward in the brass band movement."