Youth Champs 2022
Featuring 27 bands, 386 young performers, nine free workshops and four sections, The National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain’s made a spectacular return this weekend. The event took place over Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 at Corby Business Centre and was organised by Brass Bands England.
On Saturday, audiences were welcomed by the day’s compère, TV’s Dave Benson Philips, who entertained and enthused audiences of all ages between each performance. Adjudicators for day one were Alexandra Kenyon and John Barber, who enthusiastically shared feedback on all of the bands, including those in the non-competitive Besson Prodige Debut Section.
Day two adjudication came from Mark Bousie and Stephanie Binns, who were equally encouraging and supportive of all the young talent performing on stage. The day was presented by David Haywood, experienced bander and long-time supporter of the event.
A series of free workshops were delivered throughout the weekend by a range of organisations including the Brass Band Conductors' Association and the British Army Band Tidworth. From conducting “wand workshops” to careers in the arts, audience members and bands were able to learn something new in between performances.
Results:
Championship Section:
Adjudicators: Stephanie Binns & Mark Bousie
Gold Awards:
1. Youth Brass 2000
2. Lions Youth Brass
3. Tewit Youth Senior Band
Gold Award:
Northamptonshire County Youth Brass Band
Silver Awards:
Cardiff County & Vales of Glamorgan Youth Brass Band
Lancashire Youth Brass Band
Macclesfield Youth Brass Band
Bronze Awards:
Astley Youth Band
Dobcross Youth Band
Oldham Music Centre Youth Brass Band
Best Soloist: George Fearnley (horn) — Tewit Youth Senior Band
Intermediate Section:
Adjudicators: Stephanie Binns & Mark Bousie
1. Elland Silver Training Band (Gold Award)
2. Tewit Youth Intermediate Band (Silver Award)
Best Soloist: Ella Simpson (trumpet) — Tewit Youth Intermediate Band
Elementary Section:
Adjudicators: John Barber & Alex Kenyon
1. Lions Academy Junior Brass (Gold Award)
2. Dobcross Youth Intermediate Band (Silver Award)
3. Firth Park Academy Brass Band (Silver Award)
Best Soloist: Charlie Keirnan (euphonium) — Lions Academy Junior Brass
Debut Section:
Adjudicators: John Barber & Alex Kenyon
All competitors in playing order were presented with a Certificate of Achievement.
Birkwood Brass
Wantage Youth Brass
Macclesfield Training & Junior Bands
Hounslow Junior Brass Band
Summerswood & Fairfield Primary Schools
Lions Development Band
Amersham Brass Roots
Tewit Youth Junior Band
Cherry Tree Primary School
Amersham Youth Band
Milton Keynes Young Brass Hoppers
Enderby Youth Band
Boughton Band
Bands each received a Certificate of Achievement at Gold, Silver, Bronze or Merit level. All winners received a Youth Champs trophy to be retained by the band. First place bands in the Elementary, Intermediate and Challenge sections take with them the BFBB Cup, BBE Chairman's Cup, and BBE President's Cup respectively, to be retained for the year.
First place bands in the Intermediate and Challenge sections are eligible to represent England in the Development and Premier Sections of the 2023 European Youth Brass Band Contest, which will be held in Malmö, Sweden.
Kenny Crookston, CEO of Brass Bands England, commented: “It was fantastic to see so many bands from all over the country join us this weekend for the return of such an important event for youth banding. All of the bands involved performed brilliantly and I hope the young people enjoyed their performing experience. I’d like to thank everyone who came as an audience member, your support is vital to the ongoing success of the event and I hope we will see you again next year.”
Those who missed out or who want to re-watch the action can do so on brasspass.tv until Saturday 2 March. For news about next year’s Youth Champs you can register for the Brass Bands England newsletter. Those who enjoyed the day can continue to support BBE's youth work by participating in the Brass Foundations education programme.
.gif)
