Young brass players from Belmont School Community Arts College, Durham, returned from Darlington Music Festival on the weekend with a clutch of silverware.

Top notes

Students and ensembles hit the top notes for the judges throughout the day at the festival, which was held at Carmel College, Darlington.

The first victory was by the Wind Band, who defended their title and gained first place in their class.

I am extremely pleased and also proud of the performances of our students. They worked really hard on the run up to the competition and this was repaid with many prizesLaura Boyle

Winners

Eleven year old tuba player Dominic Middlemiss gained a first place in the Brass Solo (12 years and under) and the 13-17 years Brass Solo class was won by 14 year old trombone player Hayley O’Connelley.

Thomas Wallage (15) was also runner up in this class and 13 year old Ellen Middlemiss and Adam Walker were joint third. Adam also gained a first place in the Open Percussion class.

Extremely pleased

The school Brass Quintet comprised of Thomas Wallage, Ellen Middlemiss, Laura Mellis and Dominic Middlemiss also won the Open Ensemble class, concluding an extremely successful day out for the school students.

The school’s music co-ordinator, Laura Boyle told 4BR: "I am extremely pleased and also proud of the performances of our students. They worked really hard on the run up to the competition and this was repaid with many prizes."