Joy for young musicians

Rochdale Youth Band crowned champions of Great Britain

The Rochdale Borough Youth Band has been crowned the 2011 Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Champions of Great Britain.

The band beat off ten other competitors with their birds and the bees inspired programme that included 'Birdland,’ The Ugly Duckling' (awarded the Most Entertaining Item), a comical 'Blight of the Fumble Bee' and 'Bye, Bye, Blackbird'.

Victory at the event means that Rochdale Borough Youth Band not only took home prize money of £850 but in addition to the title they last won in 2008, they now have the prestigious invite to perform at the Brass in Concert festival that is to held at the Sage, Gateshead in November.

Richard Charles, Head of Rochdale Music Service said: “Conductor Eric Landon and his bands have now won this accolade seven times in the last 11 years. I would like to congratulate all the band members, music service staff and their busy team of dedicated supporters whose combined efforts have led to this success.”

Councillor Surinder Biant, the Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families said: “This is yet another fantastic piece of news for the Music Service and it’s great to see all the hard work and dedication has been rewarded this way. The Borough of Rochdale should be rightfully proud of its own National Champions.”