The National Youth Championships of Great Britain remains a shining example of what Brass Bands England does best.

Despite the organisation's well publicised financial problems, it is the type of 'feel good' event that money can't buy, based on a priceless ethos that ticks every funding box Arts Council England requires to be filled.

This year 42 ensembles and over 1,300 youngsters aided by a proud, if occasionally rather exhausted looking entourage of families and supporters (many admitting to be up since dawn as their young charges couldn't wait to get to the event) made their way to the impressive King Edward's School in Birmingham for a day of inclusive music making.

Satisfaction

12 hours or so later of slickly organised event management, BBE's Jess Wilson also wore a tired smile of deserved satisfaction.

"After such a great weekend, it's hard not to feel really proud of what the Youth Champs has become," she said. "Seeing so many young people come together, across all ages and abilities, to make music and support each other was genuinely special. It's a real privilege to create a space like that — and not something we ever take lightly.

The atmosphere across the whole weekend was just brilliant, and that's down to the dedication of the bands, leaders and supporters who are there for these youngsters' week in, week out. We're so excited to keep building on this and see where Youth Champs can go next."

Perhaps that may even see a two-day event in future to accommodate the growing number of banding organisations that now send their representatives to enjoy the vibrant, atmosphere.

And with record ticket and merchandise sales (BBE teddy bears were sold out) to go with the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit awards, everyone left with something to remember too.

Yamaha Championship Section:

As well as an embedded inclusive ethos, the event's Yamaha Championship Section contest promotes a level of performance excellence that continues to provide a vital competitive stepping stone link to the adult banding environment.

That sees the highest placed English band representing the nation at the European Championships — an honour (as well as expense, as it will be in Monteux in 2027) all too familiar to the winner, Youth Brass 2000.

Remarkable achievement

This was their tenth victory since 2014, a remarkable achievement given the turnover the youngsters MD Chris Jeans inspires each year, and which on this occasion saw his smaller than usual band contain at least seven debutant players.

What hasn't changed though is the desire to excel, with Chris telling 4BR that it is their appetite for success that drives them forward. "They are aware that they are following in impressive footsteps," he said. "But that just motivates them more. I ask them to come to rehearsals well prepared and ready to work, and they do that and more. It's an honour for me to conduct them."

Mature confidence

It was yet another Gold Award performance of mature confidence and understanding, opening with the upbeat 'Flyin' to the Stars', followed by principal cornet Jack Strong's bravura trumpet account of 'Carnival of Venice'.

The centrepiece was the set-work, 'Neverland' by adjudicator Chris Bond (joined by Anna Wilby) which showcased their ensemble quality, before a fizzy 'Prismatic Light' rounded things off.

"A performance that had plenty of quality to admire... a mature appreciation for the music," wrote Chris in his remarks, whilst Anna said it had been, "an impressive and sophisticated programme delivered to a very high standard."

Their written remarks (for all bands) certainly endorsed their pre-results analysis, with both paying tribute to both players and MDs. They also clarified that the results were a 'snapshot' of opinion, a subjective assessment of performance not overall progress. That they said was obviously being made week in week out in rehearsals.

Golden podium

In what they admitted was a close fought battle of assuredness and excellence from all 13 bands, the Gold Award podium places went to Elland Youth, Hampshire County Youth and Lions Youth, all of whom added to their fine renditions of the set-work with balanced repertoire mixes.

Sam Harrison once again led her troops (the organisation bringing well over 80 players in different ensembles to the event) in a traditionally inspired set that included a wonderful 'Best Soloist' performance of 'Maid of the Mist' by euphonium player Seth Barber.

Beethoven's 'Military March No. 2', 'Prelude on the 49th Parallel' and the test-piece made up a set described as having "so many things to admire" and "full of excitement, musicality and technique".

Third and fourth

Hampshire County Youth also brought something a little different with just two works — the set-test balanced by the demanding Salvation Army work, 'Kerygma'. Their playing was described by the judges as featuring "excellent contributions across the whole performance" and which had "lots of variety and opportunity for the band to show their skill".

Although just missing out on the podium, Lions Youth Band's Gold Award programme also showcased their overall quality. The set-work was added to by MD Ian Raisbeck's exciting 'Carpathian Adventure', the fine soprano solo 'Through the Eyes of Love' and 'Lady Stewart's Air' in a set described as "well controlled and stylish"with "an advanced level of musicality throughout".

Impressed

The five Silver Award winners (Birmingham Schools; CF Music Education Youth; Tewit Youth; Oldham Music Centre and Grimethorpe North of England) impressed with their set-works added to with music as diverse as Elton John's 'Crocodile Rock' to Edward Gregson's 'Music for Greenwich', PLC's 'Pound the Streets', Shostakovich's 'Spin through Moscow' and Tom Davoren's 'Living Power'.

The four Bronze Award winners (Dobcross Youth; South Wales Youth; Amersham Youth; Macclesfield Youth) also provided encouraged 'snap shots' of their emerging quality with set-work allied to pieces as diverse as 'Beneath Dark Sails', 'Dafyd Y Garreg Wen', 'Rhapsody for Euphonium' and 'True and Trusty' amongst repertoire that was well chosen and well presented (from pirate outfits to pink Barbie Stetson hats).

Challenge Section:

Earlier in the Ruddock Performing Arts Centre, Lauren Chinn and Ailsa Russell enjoyed the performances from the seven bands in the new Challenge Section.

Aimed at bridging the gap between entry level competition and the Championship Section, it asked ensembles to showcase a balance between a prescribed work with own-choice selections.

Creativity and discipline

Musical creativity allied to structural discipline was shown at different levels of development by each of the competitors — led by the splendid St Austell Youth Band conducted by Anna Minear.

Opening with the upbeat Bach 'Toccata in D Minor' which pulsated with energy from their percussion team, it was followed by a tender euphonium solo 'In Christ Alone' played by Neythen Powell-Jones, before ending with a colourful rendition of 'Doyen'.

"'An exciting well rounded performance" with a "wonderful euphonium player with great potential" was Lauren's summing up, whilst Aisla called it a performance from "an excellent band with a great depth of sound" and with a "special mention to the percussion who added so much value".

The celebrations started as soon as they received their Gold Award and carried on all the way back to Cornwall where they headed to the St Austell Band Club for more lemonade and crisps.

"Everyone is still buzzing about out result," they said. That noise may be heard around St Austell for some time yet.

Overall quality

With both adjudicators remarking on the overall quality of performances, there were deserved Gold Awards to podium finishers Astley Youth and Stockport Schools' Senior Band.

Led by Toby Hanson, Astley showcased 'Manhattan Skyline', 'Irish Blessing' and 'Doyen' in as set described by the judges as "controlled with a lot of poise" and "confident and engaging".

Meanwhile, Ryan Broad and Stockport opened with 'Fanfare for a New Age' followed by the march 'The Jaguar', 'Love Eternal' and 'Doyen' in what Aila said was "a very secure performance", whilst Lauren described it as having "high energy playing" and "stunning musicality".

Stunning

Silver Awards were presented to Kirkbymoorside Youth Band from the North of England and Horbury Victoria Youth Band. The Yorkshire band's super flugel player Will Lord took the 'Best Soloist' award for his stunning rendition of 'Concierto de Aranjuez' (introduced as 'Orange Juice'), which Lauren (who plays flugel for Flowers) quite aptly said had seen him "squeeze so much class and style out of the music".

Bronze Awards went to the emerging talents of Barnet Youth Brass Band and Red Admiral Music Academy.

ABRSM Performance Section:

There was a full afternoon of music making for judges Danny Brooks, Stephanie Kennedy and the audience to enjoy in the school's Main Hall — six hours of undiluted enthusiasm and excellence that stemmed from well-chosen own-choice programmes.

There was also a huge amount of variety on show from ensembles of different sizes and ranges of development — led by Gold Award winners Elland Silver Training Band led by the indefatigable Sam Harrison.

Sensational stuff

Their programme, called "sensational stuff all round" by Danny, and "excellent... with a high level of discipline in ensemble skills, dynamic contrast and balance" by Stephanie, opened with 'Brass on the Run', followed by 'Make You Feel My Love', 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Djembe Funk'.

The band heard the news of their victory as they made their way home on the coach (although you could heard the cheers halfway down the M1), with a proud organisation saying that it had been, "a brilliant achievement and a true testament to the hard work, dedication and talent of all the players."

Deserved

Also claiming deserved Gold Awards were the podium finishers of Pembrokeshire Music Service Youth and English Martyrs Senior Band.

The Welsh returned home after presenting a set of 'Dance Like David', 'Hine e Hine' and 'Dark Side of the Moon' described as "fantastic and highly engaging" with "conviction and fantastic control" by the judges, with their 'Best Soloist' Ianto Evans displaying a "beautiful rich tone" for his "sensational"performance of 'Stardust'.

Meanwhile, the band from Leicester also claimed their accolade with the aptly named 'A Leicester Rhapsody', followed by 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'The Music of John Deacon'. The judges called it "a varied programme with lots to admire" with its "energy, passion and fun", as well as being "confident and stylish".

Silver linings

The excellence of the top three was marked, but they were also hard pushed by the Silver Awardees.

These came from super sets from Dobcross Youth Training; Horbury Victoria Intermediate; Brass@Bont; Lions Academy and Macclesfield Youth Junior.

There was also plenty to enjoy from the Bronze Award bands of Wantage Youth; Tewit Youth Intermediate; Spennymoor Town Youth and Cumbria Youth, as well as Merit Awardees, Haberdashers Elstree Prep School and Birmingham Schools Training.

Besson Prodige Showcase

The essence of the Youth Championships was seen and heard in the entry level non-competitive Besson Prodige Showcase Section which offers the perfect opportunity for youngsters to enjoy what will hopefully become a life-long passion for brass band playing.

It was a spotlight for fun, enthusiasm and emerging talent; the eight ensembles introduced by Zoe Higgins (who also played at the Youth Champs herself) who ensured they were settled before their inspirational conductors led them through their programmes.

Pride and joy

The pride on show was matched by the stream of joyful music making, as their ever-supportive MDs cajoled their players from first note until last, whilst the applause from proud families and supporters also fuelled them along — as judges Chris Bond and Anna Wilby repeated time and time again in their written remarks.

From the opening 'Eye of the Tiger' from Lions Debut Band to 'Traffic' to close by Tewit Youth Juniors there a family sized variety box of musical treats.

There was a 'Cissy Strut' from BEAT Training Band, 'Fairies and Giants' from Besses Boys Training, 'Love Me Do' from Horbury Victoria Beginners, 'Snakes in Harmony' from Dobcross Youth Beginners, 'Groovy Sheep' from Elland Youth Starter, 'Honk' from Little Bonty Brass — and much, much more.

The written remarks from the judges packed with adjectives of praise, congratulations and admiration were also the type confidence building support that any player, conductor, band or Arts Council funded organisation couldn't put a price on.

Iwan Fox

Seeing so many young people come together, across all ages and abilities, to make music and support each other was genuinely specialJess Wilson, BBE

Results:

YAMAHA Championship Section:

Gold Awards:
1. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans)
2. Elland Youth Band (Samantha Harrison)
3. Hampshire County Youth Band (Mathew Watling)

Lions Youth Brass (Ian Raisbeck)

Silver Awards:
Birmingham Schools' Brass Band (Saphran Ali)
Oldham Music Centre Youth Band (Jonathan Leedale)
Tewit Youth Senior Band (Martin Hall)
Grimethorpe North of England Band (Jim Fletcher)
CF Music Education Youth Band (Charles Maynard)

Bronze Awards:
Amersham Youth Band (Ash Horton)
South Wales Youth Band (Carol Flanary Davies)
Macclesfield Youth Brass Band (Louise Renshaw)
Dobcross Youth Band (James Atkins)

Best Soloist: Seth Barber (Euphonium) — Elland Youth Band

Challenge Section:

Gold Awards:
1. St Austell Youth Band (Anna Minear)
2. Astley Youth Band (Toby Hobson)
3. Stockport Schools' Senior Brass Band (Ryan Broad)

Silver Awards:
Kirkbymoorside Youth Band (Jeanette Kendall)
Horbury Victoria Youth Band (Michael Dodds)

Bronze Awards:
Barnet Youth Brass Band (Peter Yarde Martin)
Red Admiral Music Academy (Emma Barton)

Best Soloist: Will Lord (Flugel) — Horbury Victoria Youth Band

ABRSM Performance Section:

Gold Awards:
1. Elland Silver Training Band (Samantha Harrison)
2. Pembrokeshire Music Service Youth Brass Band (Ian Wilkinson)
3. English Martyrs' Senior Brass Band (Gary Perrin)

Silver Awards:
Dobcross Youth Training (Steve Beardmore)
Horbury Victoria Intermediate Band (Michael Dodds)
Brass@Bont Youth Band (Alison Gent)
Lions Academy Band (Peter McDonough)
Macclesfield Youth Junior Band (Alex Walton)

Bronze Awards:
Wantage Youth Brass Band (Sara Wallbridge)
Tewit Youth Intermediate Band (Joseph Fearnley)
Spennymoor Town Youth Band (Fiona Casewell)
Cumbria Youth Brass Band (Stuart Humphries)

Merit:
Haberdashers Elstree Prep School Brass Band (Alan Duguid)
Birmingham Schools Training Brass Band (David Taylor)

Best Soloist: Ianto Evans (Trombone) — Pembrokeshire Music Service Youth Brass Band

Besson Prodige Showcase Section:

Certificate Presentations:

Lions Debut Brass (Natsumi McDonald)
BEAT Training Brass Band (Peter Yarde Martin)
Tewit Youth Junior Band (Allan Briggs)
Horbury Victoria Beginner Band (Michael Dodds)
Dobcross Youth Beginner Band (James Atkins)
Besses Boys' Training Band (Daniel Holm)
Elland Youth Starter Band (Naomi Hill)
Little Bonty Brass (Alison Gent)