Northamptonshire County Youth Brass Band certainly led the way at the recent National Festival of Music for Youth at Symphony Hall, Birmingham.

Grand Slam

The Brass Band was awarded an 'Outstanding Performance' award in the Open category on Thursday night, whilst the next day their Concert Band received the same award. To cap it all, the Youth Orchestra followed suit on Saturday morning, before the Big Band made it a 'Grand Slam' on Saturday afternoon.

All four Northamptonshire ensembles have gained the awards previously but never all in the same year.

It rounded off a superb end to a special year of celebrating 40 years of County music ensembles in Northamptonshire, and in particular 40 years of the County Youth Brass Band4BR

11 year wait

The Brass Band had waited 11 years for the top award, and gained the accolade by paying tribute to the late Swiss composer Jean Balissat with a performance of his 'Dance from' his 'Second Sinfonietta for Band'.

Superb end

Meanwhile, 14 year old soprano player Chris Hall was singled out by the adjudicators as being one of the best soprano players on the day.

It rounded off a superb end to a special year of celebrating 40 years of County music ensembles in Northamptonshire, and in particular 40 years of the County Youth Brass Band.