Highland Youth Wind Band success

Following their stunning performance at last weekend’s Highland Young Musicians Concerts Festival event in Aviemore, members of Highland Youth Wind Band (HYWB) are delighted to have been awarded a Gold+ accolade by the adjudicators from the Scottish Concert Band Festival.

HYWB were delighted when the adjudicators agreed to travel to the Aviemore event rather than the whole band having to travel south to participate – a logistical nightmare, as members come from all over the Highland area. 

Norman Bolton, Highland Council’s Music Development Officer, explained: “This is the first time the regional band has entered this competition and while myself and the band staff are always very proud of what these young musicians achieve, it was reassuring to hear the adjudicators make so many positive comments about the performance.

“To get the Gold+ award (the highest achievement at this regional level) and an invitation to perform at the national finals in Perth Concert Hall next March is just the icing on the cake.  We are very lucky to be able to offer Highland young people the opportunity to develop their music skills to this high level.”

The HYWB is one of the eight groups who come under the umbrella of Highland Young Musicians, with members joining after an annual audition process.  The band conductor, Mark Reynolds, Highland Council Brass Instructor in the Lochaber area, was delighted with Saturday’s achievement and is looking forward to getting rehearsals started again in January as preparations get underway for the March SCBF programme and for the HYM Concerts Festival at Eden Court – also in March 2016.

More information about Highland Young Musicians groups can be found at: http://www.highland-young-musicians.com/