Brass Bands England (BBE) will be celebrating their success at the National Youth Band Championships almost as much as any of the winners at Warwick School on the weekend.

An overdue revamp has given the event a clearer education-age linked focus, and although two withdrawals reduced numbers to 28 competitors in the four sections, the evidence was that a much more inclusive foundation has been put in place on which to build a sustainable structure.

Meanwhile, the competition titles were won by Youth Brass 2000, Wardle Academy School Band and Gwynnedd a Mon Junior Band, whilst a trio of brilliant ensembles put a smile on everyone's face in the non-competitive Debut Section.

Debut Section:

That will surely become a key starter point for long term success; the entry level emphasis now placed on inclusivity and diversity rather than prescriptive competition.

It was certainly shown as Lions Brass Beginner Band, Hounslow Junior Brass and Brass of the Saff melted the hearts of the audience packed into the impressive Bridge House Theatre.

Here we had 18 year old Megan Bousfield leading the brilliant Lions Beginners, the Hounslow Music Services staff cajoling and encouraging 45 energy packed youngsters on just four rehearsals, and the wonderful volunteers of Brass of the Saff inspiring a band made up of youngsters from a large housing estate in Leicestershire.

As the players (all aged 12 and under) sat on the stage at the results presentation hosted by the effervescent Dave Benson Phillips, not only did adjudicators Owen Farr and Sam Fisher make sure their words of encouragement hit their youthful mark, but that they also paid tribute to the amazing teachers, tutors and volunteers who supported them.

Each ensemble proudly stepped up to get their 'Merit Award' for music making that included everything from the 'March' from 'Aida' and 'Pop Rock', to 'Let's get the show on the Road', Smalltown Rock and much, much more.

It was joyful, joyous brass banding (lots of plastic instruments and trumpets to go with the smiles); an ideal first-rung of 10 minute performances that allowed youngsters a chance to showcase their enjoyment of playing.

BBE will hope that many more community and school bands will follow suit, and with the neat promotional trick of handing out baseball caps to every player (as well as free tee-shirts thrown into the audience) the message will certainly be taken straight back home with them.

Elementary Section:

Seven bands performed in the Elementary Section in the main Warwick Hall, where a Gold Award and National title was won by Gwynedd a Mon Junior Band led by the inspirational Lois Eifion.

Based in the rural North West area of Wales, the 40 players aged 14 and under come from two secondary schools in Caernarvon and Llanrug, rehearsing once a month, with a few more packed in before they headed to Warwick.

They started their preparations at the beginning of the school term in September with a programme that included the classic march, 'Slaidburn', 'Rule the World', the hymn 'Eventide', 'Jurassic Park' and 'Eye of the Tiger'. It all paid off brilliantly as they secured the title in style.

Just behind came the Sliver Award podium finishers of Lions Junior Brass conducted by Tom Hancock and the amazing 12 player ensemble of Outwood Academy Brass led Michael Dodd.

And in their own way they both showed what can been achieved with clever thinking and support; with Lions Junior showcasing music as diverse as the Tijuana brass of Herb Alpert and 'The Great Escape' to their hymn tune 'Abide with Me' and some 'Friday Funk'.

Meanwhile, Outwood delivered the classic march 'Death or Glory' alongside 'William Tell', 'Eventide' and 'Waltz', with 11 year old Elizabeth Francesca Iaecobescu winning the 'Best Soloist' award for a super 'Orange Juice' (Concerto d' Aranjuez') — after only picking up the flugel in addition to the cornet a month ago.

Elsewhere, there were plenty of great performances for the audience and judges Simone Rebello and Christopher Bond to enjoy, with the duo praising the desire to show variety in the programmes, with special mentions to the soloists and percussion sections (especially bass drum players!).

Both felt that the overall standard had been "excellent"and that it had been good to hear music that obviously "reflected the character of the bands and their conductors; bright, vibrant and full of enjoyment".

Well deserved Silver Awards went to Cottenham Brass Juniors, Dobcross Youth Training Band and Macclesfield Youth Junior Band, with a Bronze Award to Stockport Schools Junior Brass Band.

Intermediate Section:

An added level of competitive prescription meant that the six bands in the Intermediate Section (16 years of age and under) had to give 20-minute programmes that included at least one original brass band work of substance.

Each also produced playing of variety, with judges Sam Fisher and Owen Farr eventually awarding the title and a Gold Award to the mightily impressive Wardle Academy School Band.

Sam said he was "astonished"by the overall standard, whilst Owen added that he was "humbled"by what he had heard from each band.

There was no doubting the winner though, as Wardle Academy School Band produced a polished and hugely professional set to claim the BBE Chairman's Cup.

Led by conductor Lee Rigg, they opened with Alan Fernie's 'Intrada Festiva', followed by the classic march, 'The Great Little Army'. Their brilliant trombonist 14 year old Adam Warburton, took the 'Best Soloist' award with a superb rendition of 'Stardust' before they closed with Peter Graham's 'Dimensions'.

They will now head to the European Championships in Montreux hugely boosted in confidence, whilst they will also have to start planning on how to get to Palanga in 2020 after claiming that honour once again. They are some band.

Just behind came the Silver Award podium finishers of Elland Silver Training Band and Chalford Youth, who both gave performances of maturity and style under Sam Harrison and Steve Tubb respectively — including items such as 'A Circus Suite' and 'Stantonbury Festival'.

Bronze Awards went to Stockpot Schools Intermediate Band and Egglescliffe School Brass Band, with Tewit Youth Intermediate claiming a Merit Award.

Championship Section:

There was further encouragement for BBE with a dozen bands competing in the Blue Riband Championship Section.

Open to bands with players 18 years and under, it made for a keen battle for the BBE President's Cup, and the opportunity to represent England in the Premier Section of the 2020 European Championships.

In the end it was the remarkable Youth Brass 2000 that claimed a sixth successive victory. Under their 'magician' of an MD Chris Jeans they produced a superb Gold Award set to pip runner-up, Rochdale Borough Youth led by Ben Dixon, with Tewit Youth Senior Band and Martin Hall in third.

"There was so much high quality playing on show today"adjudicator Steve Sykes said before the announcement of the results. "The test-piece was absolutely brilliant and we were blown away by the performances".

Richard Ward agreed: "There may be problems in music education, but somehow these bands overcome them. The standard today was superb."

And whilst the judges did point out that some choices were perhaps, "a bit ambitious", and that the key to improvement was to work on what Steve called "the slow stuff", they were mightily impressed by the soloists (although would have loved to have heard more) and felt the top three bands were "very consistent".

They also admitted that the 45-minute delay to the start of the results had been due to their debate over the eventual destination of the title and in ensuring the awards fully reflected performances.

The cheer that sounded as Youth Brass 2000 were declared champions spoke volumes of their continued desire to remain as the UK's premier youth ensemble, as their maturely delivered 20-minute programme of 'Deo Gloria' by Bram Tovey, Dan Price's 'Starburst' and the set-work 'Corineus' by Christopher Bond claimed the honours once again.

As their Band Manager Don Collins told 4BR, hard work and a "magician"of a conductor had once again proved the key to their success. They remain the standard bearer of English youth banding — something they will surely show in Monteux in a few weeks time and Palanga in 2020.

Just behind came Rochdale with a super set that included 'Drums of Thunder', 'Hymn for Africa' and 'Amazonia' as well as the set-work, whilst Tewit featured 'Starlight' and an outstanding 'Best Soloist' performance of 'Over the Rainbow' from tenor horn player Gabriel Snowden in their set.

There was also a fine Gold Award performance from Northamptonshire County Youth, with Silver Awards going to Lions Youth Brass, Band Hyn Gwasanaeth Cerdd Ysgolion Gwynedd a Mon and Macclesfield Youth, Bronze Awards to Oldham Music Centre and Cardiff County & Vale of Glamorgan Youth and Merit Awards to Enderby Youth, MK Youth Brass and Stockport Schools' Senior Brass Band.

Iwan Fox

There may be problems in music education, but somehow these bands overcome them. The standard today was superbChampionship Section adjudicator, Richard Ward

Results:

Championship Section:

Adjudicators: Steve Sykes & Richard Ward

1. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans) — Gold
2. Rochdale Borough Youth (Ben Dixon) — Gold
3. Tewit Youth Senior Band (Martin Hall) — Gold

Gold Award:
Northamptonshire County Youth (Brad Turnbull)

Silver Awards:
Lions Youth Brass (Nigel Birch)
Band Hyn Gwasanaeth Cerdd Ysgolion Gwynedd a Mon (Dylan Williams)
Macclesfield Youth (Louise Renshaw)

Bronze Awards:
Oldham Music Centre (Jonathan Leedale)
Cardiff County and Vale of Glamorgan Youth (Charles Maynard)

Merit Awards:
Enderby Youth (Trevour Hounsome)
MK Youth Brass (Phil Devine)
Stockport Schools' Senior Brass Band (Iain McKnight)*

Best Soloist: Gabriel Snowden (tenor horn) — Tewit Youth Senior Band

*Performing to receive an adjudication only

Intermediate Section:

Adjudicators: Owen Farr & Sam Fisher

1. Wardle Academy School Band (Lee Rigg) — Gold
2. Elland Silver Training Band (Samantha Harrison) — Silver
3. Chalford Youth Band (Steve Tubb) — Silver

Bronze Awards:
Stockport Schools' Intermediate Band (Tom Ridgley)
Egglescliffe School Brass Band (Matthew Haworth)

Merit Award:
Tewit Youth Intermediate Band (Martin Tromans)

Best Soloist: Adam Warburton (trombone) — Wardle Academy School Band

Elementary Section:

Adjudicators: Simone Rebello & Christopher Bond

1. Gwynedd a Mon Junior Band (Lois Eifion) — Gold
2. Lions Junior Brass (Tom Hancock) — Silver
3. Outwood Academy Brass (Michael Dodd) — Silver

Silver Awards:
Cottenham Brass Juniors (Craig Gallacher)
Dobcross Youth Training Band (Seth Livingstone)
Macclesfield Youth Junior Band (Tim Grindey)

Bronze Award:
Stockport School's Junior Brass Band (Andrew Myers)

Best Soloist: Elizabeth Francesca Iaecobescu (flugel) — Outwood Academy Brass

Debut Section:

Adjudicators: Owen Farr & Sam Fisher

All bands received Merit Award certificates

Lions Beginner Band (Megan Bousfield)
Hounslow Junior Brass (Alan Goodall)
Brass of the Saff (Julie Maxwell)