The appearance of the award winning Wardle Academy Youth Band at this weekend's RNCM Brass Band Festival has already created a great deal of media interest.

Showcase

Directed by MD Lee Rigg, the Intermediate Section National Youth Band of Great Britain champion will showcase their talents at the RNCM Theatre on Saturday afternoon (2.00pm) with a programme that will include music from Ralph Vaughan Williams, Daniel Hall, James Curnow and Peter Graham.

One person making the trip to hear them will be Daniel Hall, with Wardle reprising his evocative 'Smoke Sketches' on which they won the national title in Salford last year. And he told 4BR that the band will certainly not be out of place amongst the likes of Fairey, Tredegar and Black Dyke on Saturday.

Great band

"They are a great band full of brilliant young players, and they gave a fantastic performance of 'Smoke Sketches' in winning the National title. I can't wait to hear them again.

They fully deserve their slot at this year's event and they are going to be a real treat for everyone."

And before the band takes to the stage they have already met up with acclaimed photographer Lorne Campbell for a photo shoot, with him telling 4BR. "What a great bunch of talented youngsters. I wish them well. They are a real credit to their conductor, families and school."

What a great bunch of talented youngsters. I wish them well. They are a real credit to their conductor, families and schoolphotographer Lorne Campbell

RNCM Brass Band Festival:

Wardle Academy Youth Band
RNCM Theatre: 2.00pm (free admission)

The Old Hundredth (Ralph Vaughan Williams)
Smoke Sketches (Daniel Hall)
Rhapsody for Euphonium (James Curnow)
Soloist: Millie Mills
Dimensions (Peter Graham)