British 2003

YOUNG musicians from across the county have once again proved they are truly the top brass.
West Lothian Schools Brass Band has been awarded the National Youth Brass Band Champions of Great Britain title this year — for the seventh time.

The award was made to the 65 pupils from secondary schools all over the district, at the championship finals in Manchester.

And the accolade is just the latest in a long line of successes for the ever-popular band which previously scooped the European Youth Championship, the BBC Radio 2 Youth Brass Band of the Year and a gold award winner at the International Music Festival in Sydney.
The band scooped their latest award in a competition with 35 other bands from all over the UK and particularly excelled in their performances of work composed by Eric Gregson and Peter Graham.

Conductor of the band, Nigel Boddice, said he was thrilled by the efforts put in by the young musicians.

He said: "I could not be more pleased. I don’t think people in West Lothian realise exactly how good the band is and it’s only when we win something like this that people become aware of it. I have to say that I personally place greater emphasis on the band’s musical programme rather than success in competitions, but it's important in keeping our profile high."
The 65 members of the schools' brass band vary in age from 12 to 18 and play a variety of instruments ranging from the flugelhorn and euphonium to tuba, trumpet and trombone. And their run of success seems set to continue with an invitation to take part in an international brass festival in Germany with world-famous trumpeter Winton Marsalles.

Nigel Boddice added: "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.”