Young musicians enjoy prestigious course

Richard Charles (Head of Service and Percussion Tutor), Owen Middlemas, Chris Binns, Helen Clark, Matthew Beazley and Steve Walsh (brass tutor)

Four young musicians who have their lessons at Rochdale Music Centre were recently invited to take part in the annual course of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

The course took place in Taunton and concluded with two concerts – one at Weston Super Mare and the other in London’s Cadogan Hall.

Rochdale’s representatives were:

Chris Binns (trombone); Matthew Beazley (tuba); Owen Middlemas (percussion) and Helen Clark (tenor horn) who was awarded the Brian Lingley Cup for most promising horn player.

Richard Charles, Head of Rochdale Music Service, said: “It was brilliant to have this many of our young musicians on this year’s National Youth Brass Band course. They had to audition alongside the best young musicians in the country before being selected.

“It is part of our mandate as a Music Service to encourage and facilitate musicians from the first time they pick up an instrument at primary school right through to opportunities such as this one.

“I would also like to congratulate tutor Steve Walsh who teaches three of these young stars.”