Virtuosi GUS Band MD Adam Cooke, is about to embark on a musical trip to Johannesburg to take up the baton with the South African National Youth Wind Orchestra for their forthcoming Summer course.

A week's rehearsals with the orchestra will be followed by two concerts featuring music by Britten, Hess and Bridge, as well as new works by respected South African composers.

Looking forward

Adam told 4BR: "I'm really looking forward to working with the orchestra.

The young people are chosen from across South Africa, from a diverse mix of backgrounds, and come together for a week of rehearsals and concerts exploring the breadth of the wind band repertoire."

The young people are chosen from across South Africa, from a diverse mix of backgrounds, and come together for a week of rehearsals and concerts exploring the breadth of the wind band repertoireAdam Cooke

Nordic return

Following concerts at the height of the South African Summer and a brief trip home to Belfast over Christmas, Adam will travel to the colder climes of the Norwegian winter in January to continue his association with Jaren Hornmusikkforening as they prepare for the Norwegian National Championships.

Then it's back to work with Virtuosi GUS as they prepare to defend their Butlins Mineworkers title at Skegness.