Bands hit the right notes

Rochdale Youth Big Band

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Four bands from Rochdale Borough Councils’ Music Service are celebrating after winning top awards are two recent band festivals.

The National Concert Band Festival at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow was hugely successful for four Rochdale bands: 

• Rochdale Junior Big Band (Ian Nelson) - Platinum
• Rochdale Community Wind Band (Richard Charles) - Gold
• Rochdale Youth Wind Band (Alec Wares) - Platinum
• Rochdale Youth Wind Band (Cathie Brooks) - Gold 

There was further success for the Rochdale Borough Youth Brass Band when they received a Gold award and third place overall at the National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain that were held at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Richard Charles, Head of Rochdale Music Service he was bowled over once again by the excellent standards that are achieved by the borough’s bands.

He said: “Congratulations to all the musicians, teachers, conductors, parents and supporters whose efforts have made all this possible.

“I would also like to acknowledge the success of Lee Rigg and the Wardle High School band for winning their section at the National Youth Championships; an outstanding achievement for a band from a single school and even more reason for Rochdale to be proud.”