Houghton Area Youth band wins top prize

The band won first prize in the Youth Brass Band Entertainment Championship Festival of Great Britain, held in the Winter Gardens Blackpool.

They also came fifth in the music category and came third overall in the contest.

They performed Toys, with music written by Lee Morris (Creative Brass).

The adjudicator, Paul Duffy, said: “Effort is evident from the outset. The stage is transformed to a magical wonderland, and I love the dancing and energy from the band”.

Other highlights of the year for the band were working with Leyland Band and performing with them at Sunderland Minster, entering Music For Youth at the Sage Newcastle, performing at Durham Cathedral for Action Research, winning the youth section at the Durham County Brass Band Festival, the Northeast League Contest, and the DLI and Stanley Entertainment contests.

If anyone would like to join this award-winning brass band, they rehearse during term time, every Saturday, 10am to noon, at Hetton Lyons Primary School.

For more information, contact Brian Adams 0191 3859151 or Glenis Smith on 0191 3720749.

The band will be performing again on Friday, June 10, at the Gala Theatre Durham, with Houghton Brass 3rd section Champions, and Dennis the folk pit pop band.