Following an intensive four day course last week, the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band are now looking forward to an eleven day tour of Poland.

European Tour

It is the bands first European tour for some time, having previously toured New Zealand and Australia in 2004 and the East Coast of America in 2001.

Spectacular

Having recently been awarded the 'Outstanding Performance Award' at the National Festival of Music for Youth, the band will stay for six nights in the town of Zakopane, which is nestled at the foot of the spectacular Tatras mountains and three nights in the cultural city of Krakow.

The band will perform at the Fatima Sanktuary Church and at the Holy Cross Church, both in Zakopane. The band will be conducted by Andrew Jones and Sean O'Neill and the euphonium soloist will be Jamie Jones.

For the first time in the organisations history the tour combines the Greater Gwent Youth Orchestra, String Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, Youth Choir and Brass Band — over 160 students and 18 staff!4BR

Visits

Apart from spending some free time, the band will also be ascending the Gubalowka Moutain by funicular railway, spending a day on the River Dunajec Drift and in Krakow they will be visiting the Salt Mines at Wieliczka and the Auschwitz Concentration Camp.

Huge ensemble

For the first time in the organisations history the tour combines the Greater Gwent Youth Orchestra, String Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, Youth Choir and Brass Band — over 160 students and 18 staff!

On Wednesday 27th August, all the ensembles will perform in the final combined concert at the magnificent St Catherine’s Church in Krakow.