Brass Bands England (BBE) has announced the panel of adjudicators for the 2025 Youth Champs, which will take place on 29th March at Hymers College in Hull.
This year's event is set to be the largest in recent years, with an impressive 40 youth bands and ensembles, including 11 making their debut. Spanning three sections — Besson Prodige Showcase, Yamaha Performance, and Championship, the day will celebrate the talent and diversity of youth brass banding.
Wright and Wyne
The non-competitive Besson Prodige Showcase Section will see the participants given constructive, motivational feedback from Zoe Wright and Sam Wyne.
Zoe is a former Principal Horn of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, solo horn of the European Youth Brass Band and Hammonds Band. After earning multiple awards, including Best Horn at Brass in Concert, Zoe has dedicated herself to teaching and mentoring young musicians as the conductor of the Whitworth Vale and Healey Youth Band.
Sam is an experienced euphonium player and brass educator, working extensively in music education. Currently a Regional Development Executive for ABRSM, he has also been instrumental in innovative community projects with Wantage Band.
Smith, Dunne and Duguid
The Yamaha Performance Section bands will see the competition bands receive rankings and feedback from Jamie Smith, Thomas Dunne and Alan Duguid.
Jamie is the acclaimed principal cornet of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and is a founding member of the award-winning A4 Brass Quartet. Thomas meanwhile is an accomplished euphonium player, conductor, music journalist and academic. He has revitalised Lydney Town Band and recently gained his PhD on the accessibility of music education in Wales.
Alan is a versatile conductor and educator, has worked with numerous bands at all levels. He holds leadership roles in prominent musical associations and serves as Head of Academic Music at Haberdashers' Boys' School.
Dixon and Houlding
The Championship Section bands will be adjudicated by Ashley Dixon and Chris Houlding. The competitive nature of the contest sees the top English band earning the opportunity to represent the nation at the 2026 European Youth Brass Band Championships.
Ashley is a graduate of the University of Salford and recipient of the Harry Mortimer Performance Award. She has achieved great success as the solo baritone with Foden's Band and leads the Music and Expressive Arts curriculum in a secondary school.
Chris is a professor at the Folkwang University of Arts in Germany and a visiting tutor at London's Guildhall School of Music & Drama. He has huge experience of banding as a conductor and performer as well as extensive orchestral experience to go with an international CV of adjudication appointments.
Their expertise and passion for nurturing young talent will make this event a truly memorable experience. We look forward to celebrating the future of brass banding and offering a platform for young musicians to thriveJess Wilson, BBE
Expertise and passion
Speaking about the appointments, BBE's Jess Wilson, Events Manager told 4BR: "We're thrilled to welcome our adjudicators to the 2025 Youth Champs. Their expertise and passion for nurturing young talent will make this event a truly memorable experience.
We look forward to celebrating the future of brass banding and offering a platform for young musicians to thrive."
Tickets:
Tickets will be available for purchase on Saturday 22nd February, available on the Brass Bands England website: https://www.bbe.org.uk/civicrm/event/info/579
Tickets will be available from the ticket stall throughout the event day.
