Rochdale musicians scoop national awards

Musicians from Rochdale are holding their heads high as five seperate groups scoop awards at the National Concert Band Festival.

The performance groups travelled to Great Sankey High School in Warrington to compete in the contest against 25 other bands.

Gold Awards were won by the Rochdale Youth Big Band, the Rochdale Youth Wind Band and Rochdale Junior Big Band. Silver Awards went to the Rochdale Junior Wind Band and the Rochdale Community Wind Band.

The three Gold Award winners have now earned a place at the national finals at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff next spring.

Fred Bowker, Head of the Music Service at Rochdale Borough Council was thrilled with how the bands did:

“This is wonderful news. To reach the national finals is a tremendous achievement! Everyone involved in the should feel proud of their success.”

The three bands will face competition from 40 other groups when they head to the national finals on 18 and 19 April 2009.

For more details about the council’s music service please call 01706 750288 or visit www.rochdalemusicservice.org.uk