WEST Lothian’s top young musicians struck a chord when they took the national title for the second year in a row.
The West Lothian Schools’ Brass Band has earned the title of the top Youth Brass Band in the UK at the national finals in Manchester.
Thirty-five bands competed in five classes for the coveted title of National Youth Champions and the West Lothian Schools’ Brass Band performed in the highest level, the Premiere Section, against top bands from England and Wales.
The band played two major works for brass band by the composers Philip Wilby and Peter Graham, to win the highest accolade in the brass band world.
And the band’s conductor, Nigel Boddice, said the title was well-earned.
He said: “I have never heard the band play better in all my years conducting this group.
“They are a credit to West Lothian and the wonderful youth music programme this area promotes.”
The band has a well-earned international reputation and is current European Youth Brass Band Champions, winners of a Gold Award at the Sydney International Music Festival and BBC Radio 2 Youth Band of the Year.
The band will hope to continue its run of success when it is invited to perform at the international Brass Festival in Germany and the European Brass band Championships in Glasgow this year.
But the Schools’ Brass Band’s award was not the only one to return to West Lothian, since its cornet player, Caroline Munro, also won the best soloist prize.
The county also won national recognition when Broxburn Academy and West Calder High School concert bands also travelled to Manchester to win Bronze Awards at the National Concert Band Festival.
And the West Lothian Schools’ Jazz Orchestra won a Silver Award at the same festival with an impressive performance by some very young players.
Convener of the children’s services committee, councilor Carol Bartholomew was delighted by the success.
She said: “On behalf of West Lothian Council I would like to extend warmest congratulations to our young people, their parents and guardians, and our staff on these fantastic achievements.
“Music is an area where our young people excel, this was demonstrated at the recent showcase ‘Best Years of Our Lives’ concert at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh.
“Our young musicians are true ambassadors for West Lothian.”
Tributes were also paid to the West Lothian Schools’ Brass Band by patron, councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick, who said the young musicians had overcome obstacles to achieve their award.
He said: “The West Lothian Schools’ Brass Band faced the problems of only having 40 minutes to eat and change for their performance
