The Academy Showband of the Abraham Darby Academy in Madeley Telford recently returned from the qualifying heats of the National Concert band Festival in Monmouth with a platinum award to their name.

National return

The result of their efforts means that the band will travel to Glasgow later in the year to take part in the National Festival itself.

We had a wonderful time last year and were delighted to be invited back. It’s one of those events which the players really enjoy and provides the band with a good work out tooMD, Ian Porthouse

Open return

Meanwhile, the band will play host to current 4BR Band of the Year Tredegar later this month as the 2010 British Open champion makes a return visit to provide workshops and a massed concert with the pupils.

Wonderful

Tredegar MD, Ian Porthouse told 4BR: "We had a wonderful time last year and were delighted to be invited back. It’s one of those events which the players really enjoy and provides the band with a good work out too."