The defending Premier Division European Youth Band champions Youth Brass 2000 will be starting its intensive preparations for the defence of their title in Switzerland in April, with a full day of rehearsals under the baton of MD Chris Jeans this weekend.

The band has also enlisted the help of expert help, with tutors from The Band of the King's Division coming along this Sunday to inspire the youngsters.

Big step

It is also the next big step on the road to Montreux for the multi-award winning band — one that has also gone hand in hand with their huge fund raising efforts.

Band Spokesperson Don Collins told 4BR: "This will be the first of three special workshop rehearsals — and we're thrilled that the King's Division has agreed to help us by sending a team of great players to work with the youngsters."

He said that Stuart Roberts, Mattias Andersson, Ailsa Russell, Matthew Taylor, Sarah Frowen, James Howard, Will Marston and Jamie Nuss will provide morning tuition and advice on a one to one and sectional basis, before MD Chris Jeans brings the band together for an extensive full rehearsal.

New works

The band will also be taking their first close look at two brand new works that they will premiere at the European event from the pens of Paul McGhee and Lucy Pankhurst.

"This is another great boost for the band on what will be our fifth appearance at the contest,"he said. "Paul and Lucy are wonderful composers with close links to us, and we're delighted that they have written works for us to perform at the event. We can't thank them enough."

The weekend and the music have given everyone a great boost after all the hard work that has been put into our fund-raisingYouth Brass 2000

Hard work pays off

Don added: "The weekend and the music have given everyone a great boost after all the hard work that has been put into our fund-raising.

Like the other youth bands representing England we have done this on our own — starting almost as soon as we won the title in Utrecht last year.

The hard work has paid off, and we've managed to keep costs to a minimum of the players who we want to enjoy an incredible experience."