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Corby Business Academy’s Senior Concert Band qualify for National Music for Youth Finals

The band has been selected to perform at the finals by the judges of the regional competition, held at Northampton School for Girls in March. The group will perform alongside a very select few of the country’s top musicians, at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall in July.

The festival provides students with a platform to share music and received advice from top music mentors. The band will perform a 12-minute piece including songs such as Celtic Ritual by John Higgins. Year 12 student Louie will also perform a solo of Gabriel’s Oboe and Year 9 student Sullivan will perform a xylophone solo of Helter Skelter.

Sullivan said: ‘I performed in the finals last year at The Symphony Hall. The atmosphere and support we had was brilliant. This year will be my first time performing a solo in the venue so I am really looking forward to it.

‘I’ve played an instrument since I was in Year 3 and started to play the piano since joining CBA. Mr Wears then needed someone to play the xylophone in the band and asked me if I’d be interested. I’ve met so many people through the band and I really enjoy playing the instrument and performing at concerts. I am also the first in the band to perform a solo on the instrument, which is amazing.’

Director of Music Mr Clive Wears said ‘We are very proud to be once again perform in a such a prestigious national music festival. Our concert band was formed with only a very small number of students in 2008 when the Academy opened. Since then it has steadily grown in strength and numbers and now boasts over 50 students from all year groups and has had considerable national success since then. It is a real honour to be invited back to the NMFY finals for the third time.

‘The students are dedicated to their weekly rehearsals, which are an integral part of the development of the band. I have to say a special mention to our Year 13 students Zoe, Sophie, Joe, Summer, Taysiir, Oliver and Shona who have gone above and beyond with their dedication and given up so much of their time. The band’s commitment has already enabled them to perform at a range of exciting events including abroad during tours of Holland, Germany and Belgium and we are really looking forward to preforming a spectacular programme at the finals this year.