Festival victory icing on the cake for band

The Blue Coat Schol Brass Band National School Champions

BLUE Coat School hit all the right notes at the 10th annual Music for Youth National Festival.

It received the performance practice award in the school brass band section of the event at Birmingham Symphony Hall.

A total of nine bands from across the UK were in the section, with Blue Coat playing “Prelude for an Occasion”, “Helter Skelter” and “Horizons” by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.

Neil Hewson, head of music at the school, said: “The band has worked so hard in getting to perform at the Symphony Hall — the award was the icing on the cake.

“I am so proud of each and every musician who took part in the performance and I know that the festival was a wonderful experience for all involved.”

Blue Coat’s jazz orchestra also competed at the festival along with the senior wind band from Crompton House School, Shaw, and Bare Trees Community Wind Band, Chadderton.

Jim Upton, senior deputy head teacher at Crompton House added: “This was the 10th year of festival and the 14th group from Crompton House to be invited in this time.”