Two of the top youth band organisations in the country are to team up later this month as Elland Silver Youth and St Helens Youth hold a joint workshop and afternoon concert in Elland.

Showcase

Both bands are renowned for the entertaining music and high quality music making, and the two bands will provide a musical showcase of some 80 musicians.

The event is the joint idea of MDs Samantha Harrison and Anna Hughes.

Together

Sam told 4BR: "I was really keen when Anna approached me earlier in the year to see if the two bands would be interested in getting together.

We both thought it would be a great idea for our young musicians to meet each other and work together for an afternoon."

Varied programme

The bands will spend the afternoon working in sections on joint items which will later be performed on mass as the finale to the concert. Each band will also perform a varied entertaining programme in each half of the concert.

Celebration concert

Meanwhile, the senior Elland Silver recently held a celebration concert to honour 30 years service to the band of secretary Kathleen Harrison and treasurer Kenneth Billington.

The concert was held in Halifax Minster, with special guests the Mayor of Calderdale Councillor Ann Martin and her consort, Mrs Murial Newsome and her son Neil, James and Anne Shepherd, Joyce Skidmore, Lord & Lady Shutt and several other ex band members.

An audience of over 300 people were entertained by Elland Silver under MD Daniel Brook, as well as Elland Silver Youth, Training and Starter Bands. Around 120 brass players with ages ranging from as young as 7 years of age took part.

Soloists included the talented flugel horn player Daniel Clough age 11, and a horn trio from senior band members David Armitage, Megan Plant and Janet Taylor.

Kathleen and Kenneth were presented with gift from Chairman Peter Greenleaf.

We both thought it would be a great idea for our young musicians to meet each other and work together for an afternoonSamantha Harrison

Experienced

Kathleen told 4BR: "This was an excellent night of music making from the very youngest and inexperienced to the oldest and most experienced, and it was an event Ken, my dad now 91 and I will remember for a long time.

We are very proud to be associated to such a wonderful organisation."