Brunel Brass will be celebrating an important milestone in the organisation's long term development with the news that their Great Western Youth Band will make their senior contesting debut at the forthcoming West of England Regional Championships in Torquay.

Culmination

It will be the culmination of what have been regular weekly Saturday morning sessions led by members of Brunel Brass Band, who have been tutoring children aged between five and eighteen in the Rising Stars and Youth Band sections of Great Western Youth Band with the long held ambition to enter a band at the Torquay contest.

Ben Halstead, who plays with The Band of The Prince of Wales's Division, will take the band at the contest as Chris McMullin takes a temporary break due to work commitments.

Brilliant fun

A spokesperson told 4BR: "The youngsters are enjoying his expertise in rehearsals almost as much as the tuck shop in the break! The fun they get out of every rehearsal is brilliant, and the experience of playing at Torquay will be invaluable."

4BR was informed that it will be a very young band that takes to the stage, as some of the older players have graduated to the senior Brunel Brass in the First Section, who will be conducted by the talented composer Daniel Hall.

The youngsters are enjoying his expertise in rehearsals almost as much as the tuck shop in the break! The fun they get out of every rehearsal is brilliant, and the experience of playing at Torquay will be invaluableBand spokesperson

Great learning experience

The spokesperson added: "Brunel Brass is working with Daniel on the First Section test-piece and we are looking forward to taking to the stage with him in Torquay.

Working with dedicated professionals is a great learning experience and Brunel Brass are enjoying every moment."