Months of hard work certainly gained success for the Great Western Youth Band at the recent Wessex Brass Band Association Youth & Training Band contest.

Trophies

Taking the stage without any adult assistance, the 37 players, with an average age of just 14, performed well, winning several trophies, including second place in the Training Band Section, Best Hymn Tune and Best Deportment.

Gold awards were also received for flugel soloist, Millie Marriot-Webb, whose performance of the ‘Concerto De Aranjuez’ was one of the highlights of their programme.

Polished

Led by MD, John Winterflood, the band opened with the ‘James Bond Theme’, before going on to deliver polished renditions of ‘Buglers Holiday’, Roy Newsome’s arrangement of ‘Deep Harmony’, the flugel solo feature and ‘Kalinka’ to close.

The success rounded off a busy period for the organisation, after it held its annual course towards the end of 2013, with the players enjoying an intensive two day course working under the leadership of David Hirst.

Hard work

Assisted by tutors from Brunel Brass, David worked the youngsters hard in the rehearsal sessions, although there was plenty of time available for relaxation in the swimming pool or taking part in games and sports activities.

The organisation has also benefited from several grants — notably from Swindon Based company DIALOG and from BT, which has allowed them to develop a vibrant ‘Rising Stars’ Leaner Band, which now has 25 members and is growing by the week.

The success rounded off a busy period for the organisation, after it held its annual course towards the end of 20134BR

Link

The developing link between the organisation and Brunel Brass will see at least a dozen players take to the stage with them at the West of England Regional Championships next year.