Young brass band instrumentalists dazzled at the recent 49th Camborne Music Festival — so much so that the adjudicator said it was one of the best in terms of the quality of musicianship.

Speaking to a packed audience at Camborne's Centenary Chapel Marilynne Davies said she was particularly delighted by the emergence of two teenage players in the brass band instrumental section, both competing at the event for the first time.

Cornet star

Camborne Youth Band cornet player Aaron Thomas, 17 (above), took top marks in the 'Brass Section' and was presented with the Rotary Club Young Musician Award for his performance of 'La Belle Americaine'.

He also won the new Menin Gate Award, set up to mark the centenary of the end of First World War. The £100 prize was inspired by Camborne Youth Band's trip to the battlefields this summer, and will now be presented annually.

Aaron told 4BR: "To be the first to win something as important of this means a great deal as it remembers the fallen and also showcases brass band playing in Cornwall."

To be the first to win something as important of this means a great deal as it remembers the fallen and also showcases brass band playing in Cornwall17 year old Aaron Thomas

Percussionist

Meanwhile, 15 year old Callum Wilton, a young percussionist with Camborne Town Band received the award for 'Best Individual Performance' in the entire festival with his rendition of Bach's 'Minuet and Badinerie'.

Festival Chairman Alvine Holmes told 4BR that the festival was not only important for Camborne but for the whole of Cornwall as he offered his congratulation on two rising stars.