BBE has announced the panel of adjudicators for the 2025 Youth Champs, which will take place on 29 March 2025 at Hymers College, Hull. This year’s Youth Champs is set to be the largest in recent years, with an impressive playing field of 40 youth bands, including 11 bands making their debut at the event. Spanning three sections - Besson Prodige Showcase, Yamaha Performance, and Championship - the day will celebrate the talent and diversity of youth brass banding, bringing together young musicians from across the country for a vibrant and inspiring competition.
Youth Champs 2025 adjudicators
Besson Prodige Showcase Section
This non-competitive section offers participants constructive and motivational feedback from Zoe Wright and Sam Wyne, focusing on development and inspiration for young musicians.
Yamaha Performance Section
Young bands in this section will receive competitive rankings and feedback from Jamie Smith, Thomas Dunne and Alan Duguid. An extra adjudicator has been appointed to this year’s Performance section due to the number of bands performing.
Championship Section
Adjudicators Ashley Dixon and Chris Houlding will oversee this section, which represents the pinnacle of youth brass banding. The top English band will also earn the chance to represent England at the 2026 European Youth Brass Band Championships.
An inspiring event for young musicians
Jess Wilson, Events Manager, shared: "We are thrilled to welcome such an esteemed panel of adjudicators for 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 will be available for purchase on Saturday 22 February, available on the Brass Bands England website. On-the-door tickets will be available from the ticket stall throughout the event day.