On Saturday 23rd March Lions Youth Brass took their three bands (71 young people) to Dean Close School in Cheltenham for The National Youth Brass Band Championships 2024, organised by Brass Bands England! Lions Youth Brass were the only organisation to enter a band into every section.
Lions Debut Band
Lions Debut Band, the starting point of Lions Youth Brass, entered the Besson Prodige Section. “The Besson Prodige Showcase Section is the Youth Champs’ non-competitive section, offering an opportunity to take part and contribute a great performance without the pressure of competition.”
The young players were delighted to walk away with a certificate of Merit and a special mention for the band with the best smilers!
Lions Debut Band performed 4 pieces based on the animal kingdom:
- Monkey March
- Pentatonic Penguin
- Baby Shark
- Eye of the Tiger
Lions Academy Band
Lions Academy Band, the middle tier of Lions Youth Brass, entered the YAMAHA Performance Section. “The principal aim of this section is to give young people an introductory experience of competitive performance.”
The Academy Band submitted an outstanding performance and were delighted to walk away with a certificate of Merit.
Lions Academy Band performed 4 pieces based on their theme of ‘The Olympics’:
- Olympic Fanfare & Theme
- Gradstand
- Olympic Hymn Paris 2024
- An Olympic Trilogy
Lions Youth Brass
Lions Youth Brass, the top tier of Lions Youth Brass, entered the World of Brass Championship Section, the highest level of youth banding in the UK. “The aim of this section is for young people to perform together at a high standard and provide the final step through the doorway to student or adult banding.”
Lions Youth Brass were absolutely over the moon to receive a Gold Award including the prize for ‘Best Soloist’ which was awarded to their three percussionists, Sam, Tim and George. They are now placed in the top four youth bands in the UK.
Lions Youth Brass performed a programme of original brass band music:
- Malvern Suite
- The Lion Tamer (Soloist, Ryan Snelson)
- Watching Over Us
- 3’s a Crowd (Soloists, Sam Erian, Tim Sealey and George Cragg)
- Jubilation
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