James Woolliscroft, a talented member of Trentham Band, is celebrating his recent win in the Young Composers Competition organised by the City of Birmingham Brass Band.

James is a former pupil of Trentham High School, St Josephs College and is currently teaching mathematics at Endon High School.

CBSO judges

The competition was open to young composers aged 25 and under and two prizes were on offer, judged by Phil Harrison and Alwyn Green from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Elly Tobin, Principal of Joseph Camberlain Sixth Form College, Birmingham.

Voyage to the Horizons of Time

22 year old James won both of the prizes with his composition entitled, ‘Voyage to the Horizons of Time’ – a thematic overture based around an opening motif, exploring and expanding the boundaries of time.

He is an extraordinary and talented young man who I am sure will succeed at a high level in all he undertakesTrentham MD, Mike Caveney

Not surprised

Mike Caveney, MD of Trentham Brass told 4BR: "I’m not surprised really. Both of James’ younger brothers play with Trentham Brass and a few years ago James, who is a clarinettist and pianist, stepped in on percussion to help out at the Area.

Since then he has performed on cornet, horn, baritone, euphonium, Eb and Bb bass and taken up the conductors baton with both confidence and competence. He is an extraordinary and talented young man who I am sure will succeed at a high level in all he undertakes."