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Students Win National Brass Band Title

Seven of our musicians lifted a national youth brass band title at the weekend.

Andile Chiwuta, David Graham, Myles Peters (all Year 12), George Brabbs, Sam Addy, James Wilson and Sereti Ogwang (all Year 10), who are members of Youth Brass 2000, played their way to victory at the National Youth Brass Band Championships held at the Royal College of Music in Manchester on Sunday (April 22nd).

The musicians competed against 17 other youth bands from across the country to win the intermediate band title (for those aged under 18).

All the students, who are members of the CBA Senior Concert Band and Senior Brass Ensemble, joined Youth Brass Band 2000 in September 2011, after attending auditions. They all started learning an instrument after joining the academy and being encouraged by Director of music Clive Wears.

Mr Wears said: “It is a huge achievement and the band has done very well.”

Andile Chiwuta, who has played the Tuba for three years said: “We put in a huge amount of practice for the competition, but I did not expect us to win the title.”

As part of the competition, each band was required to play a set piece (A Saddleworth Festival Overture) as well as a 20 minute performance.

 Adjudicator Les Neish said: It was a fantastic contest, with so much to enjoy from each of the competitors. The standard was very good, and the band’s claiming the gold awards were excellent. “There was no doubt about the winners either. They produced a wonderful programme that was so well played."

Youth Brass 2000 is based in Wilbarston and has members from across Northamptonshire and Leicestershire.

After the victory Artistic Director Chris Jeans said: "For us to be crowned Champion Youth band of Great Britain is the highest accolade we have won in our history.

"We have a superb group of musicians and I am very proud of them."