St Austell Youth Band Wins National Youth Brass Title

St Austell Youth Band has been crowned National Champions after a standout performance at the National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.

The band travelled to Birmingham on Saturday 28th March, where they competed in the Challenge Section, representing Cornwall on a national stage.

Winning Performance in Birmingham

Their programme impressed both the audience and adjudicators. The band opened with a dramatic performance of “Toccata in D minor”, before delivering a euphonium solo, “In Christ Alone”, performed by Principal Euphonium Neythen Powell-Jones.

They closed their set with “Doyen”, one of the test pieces, paying tribute to Cornish composer Goff Richards.

Champions Crowned

At the results ceremony later that afternoon, St Austell Youth Band was announced as the inaugural winner of the newly created Challenge Section.

The victory adds a national title to recent regional successes at Bugle and Torquay.

Musical Director Anna Minear said: “I’m extremely proud of all the young people. The hard work has really paid off. Thanks to all the parents for transporting the young people around & encouraging them to practice. I’m delighted with how they performed & the icing on the cake is to go home as Champions.”

Chairman of the St Austell Town Band organisation Ben Minear added: “Having played in the Youth Band myself 30 years ago, it’s an honour to lead an organisation with such a promising youth programme and hugely talented young players. Along with Anna, their inspirational MD, they are a credit to themselves, their parents, the band, and all Cornwall.”

What Happens Next

The band will now take a short break before returning to competition in June, where they will defend their Youth Section title at the 100th anniversary of Cornwall’s West of England Bandsmen’s Festival.