Today, Saturday 23 March, the National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain 2024, Youth Champs, welcomed over 1,200 young people to Dean Close School in Cheltenham to perform in this important national event for youth banding.
Featuring 38 bands and hosted by compères Alex Humphreys and David Hayward, both halls were full of enthusiastic supporters, with audience members to enjoy a fun-filled day of music-making.
Awards were presented as below, supported by the ABRSM.
World of Brass Championship Section
- 1st Place: Wardle Academy Youth Band
- 2nd Place: Youth Brass 2000
- 3rd Place: Elland Youth Band
Best soloist: Percussion section, three soloists - Lions Youth Brass
Adjudicated by: Mike Cavanagh and Helen Varley
Yamaha Performance Section
- 1st Place: Elland Silver Training Band
- 2nd Place: Pembrokeshire Music Service Youth Brass Band
- 3rd Place: St Austell Youth Band
Best Soloist: Carys Wood - Cornet, Pembrokeshire Music Service Youth Brass Band
Adjudicated by: Emily Evans and Gavin Saynor
Besson Prodige Showcase Section
Eight bands performed in this non-competitive Section, with feedback provided by adjudicators James Holt and Sheila Allen.
A great day in the South West
The winning Championship Section band, Wardle Academy Youth Band, is now eligible to represent England in the Development Section of the 2025 European Youth Brass Band Contest in Stavanger, Norway.
Organisers Brass Bands England (BBE) would like to thank World of Brass, Yamaha and Besson for sponsoring the event’s three Sections, and the ABRSM for sponsoring the awards presentation.
Kenny Crookston, BBE’s CEO, commented:
“This year saw BBE bring Youth Champs to the South West for the first time, and it did not disappoint! We were pleased to welcome a range of youth and school bands, many of which were performing at the event for the first time. If you enjoyed it, watch out for our new Youth Fest, this year in Barnsley in June - our new non-competitive event for youth bands. It’s going to be great fun!”
Those who missed out or who want to re-watch the action can do so by subscribing to World of Brass’s wobplay platform.
Youth Champs 2025 will take place on Saturday 29 March at Hymers College in Hull. Band registration will open in June 2024. To stay up-to-date with Youth Champs and other BBE news you can register for the Brass Bands England newsletter.