Wardle High win National Brass Festival

Wardle High School Junior Ensemble at the Butlin’s Mineworkers Open National Brass Band Festival Skegness 2013 where the Junior Ensemble achieved first place

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On Sunday 20 January, Wardle High School Junior Ensemble and Youth Brass Band took part in the Butlin’s Mineworkers Open National Brass Band Festival Skegness 2013 where the Junior Ensemble achieved first place and the Youth Brass Band took third place after a tough competition.

The Butlin’s Mineworkers Open National Brass Band Festival is a hugely popular event and attracts Brass Bands from all over the UK.

The Junior Ensemble entered for the first time and managed to beat tough competition to be placed first out of seven other bands. They were the first ever winners of The Phil Read Award for Outstanding Performance which is a great achievement.

Also competing was Wardle High School Youth Brass Band who after a strong performance managed to achieve third place out of eight schools being narrowly beaten by St Helens and Youth Brass 2000 who both gave great performances. Soloist Ashley Higgins also gave a technically brilliant performance of Napoli.

Wardle High School has a strong tradition in the performing arts, but particularly in brass band music. They provide instrumental teaching for every pupil who wants it, be it string, woodwind, percussion or brass at no charge other than the insurance cover for their instrument. The school has several groups and bands and they also support local primary schools.

The conductors for the weekend were Lee Rigg and Sean Conway.

Lee Rigg said: “The bands both gave of their best for the performances and we couldn’t have asked for anything more. We are proud of what they have achieved.”

Janet Emsley, Director of Performing Arts, said: “The students have been brilliant, their behaviour has been impeccable and their performances were outstanding. Thanks also to staff and parents for giving of their time to make this weekend possible.”

As part of the festival, students spent the weekend at the resort and had the opportunity to listen to other bands performing in different sections of the festival.