Band able to blow its own trumpet

AN Oldham wind band was given the ultimate accolade at a national concert.

Oldham Council Music Centre Youth Wind Band took part in the National Concert Band Festival and was honoured with the platinum award by the adjudicators.

It was the only group in its section to reach the top level at the event, held at Rochdale Town Hall, which is one of the highlights of the concert band calendar and attracts groups from all over the country playing to the highest standards.

The event was the North Regional Festival heat with the band, conducted by Gerard Booth, performing “Deo Gracias” by Guy Woolfenden — who sent the band his best wishes — “Looking Good” by Sammy Nestico and one of the great classics of the British Wind Band repertoire, ‘Suite No.2 in F’ by Gustav Holst.

The achievement is made even more impressive by the fact that many of the senior members moved on in the summer, as with all of the music centre's youth groups, and the current band only started playing together in September.

Mr Booth, director of Music for Oldham, said: “This will put Oldham on the national map again and it is more excellent news for the council’s Integrated Youth Service.

“The band was brilliant. Their regular conductor, Roger Meaden, was unable to be with us so I was delighted to step in and be part of this fabulous festival.

“I’m really proud of our achievement and Roger is thrilled with the result.”