There was delight for the young players St Austell Youth Band at the recent Cornwall Brass Band Association annual competition held in Falmouth.

Talented tubas

The band’s talented tuba section won the prize for ‘Best Basses’ against more senior bands after providing the foundation to their second place performance of ‘Saddleworth Festival Overture’ by Cornish composer Goff Richards.

Improving every week

Band MD, Mark Arnold, told 4BR: "The band is improving every week and it’s great to now be competing as an established youth band. It’s fantastic that our players won the Best Bass section prize against other Second and First Section bands."

The band is improving every week and it’s great to now be competing as an established youth bandMD, Mark Arnold

Free tuition

The St Austell School of Brass (of which the Youth Band is a part) is now increasing in numbers and offers free instrumental and theory tuition to all its members and encourages pupils to progress through grade exams.

David Mumford directs the Beginners' Band where players are able to learn early ensemble skills before progressing to the Youth Band. Mark Arnold (former Grimethorpe percussionist) conducts the Youth band that rehearses each Saturday morning.