With over fifty members giving up their Easter holidays to make music, the four day residential Course of the Band culminated in a successful Concert at St Michael’s Church in Newquay on Easter Monday. The Course, which was based at Truro High School for Girls, involved intensive full band rehearsals as well as detailed sectional work with individual instrumental tutors. Directing the Course was Garry Cutt, the Conductor of not one, but two world class brass bands, Fodens and Grimethorpe Colliery. His testing choice of programme encompassed music from the early part of the last century by the legendary William Rimmer, to present day composers, Peter Graham and Kenneth Downie.

The Band was fortunate to be joined by the young Tuba Soloist, Leslie Neish, who flew in direct from an engagement playing for the President of Malta. Three of his solos were first performances of arrangements made especially for him. He also took a Master Class during the Course working with three members of the Bass Section, Rachel Crabb, Jacob Pritchard and Matthew Julian.

The opening march in the Concert was dedicated to memory of the late President of the Band, Micky Hunt, who had passed away just a week before. He had been connected with the Band since 1959 and had given countless hours of service helping the young players improve and enjoy their music making.

The high standard of the Cornwall Youth Brass Band and their dedication to music was commented on by The Mayor of Restormel, Councillor Pat Harvey, who spoke to the audience during the Concert and praised the young musicians and their supportive parents, saying that they were a credit to the County. The musicians, whose ages ranged from eleven to nineteen, came from nineteen parent bands throughout Cornwall and are supported at their monthly Rehearsals, and during the Course, by a team of local Tutors, all of whom have been members of the Cornwall Youth Brass Band in the past.       

The Annual Awards of the Band were presented by the Chairman, Leonard Adams. The Youngest Player was James Telling, the Most Promising Player, Caitlin Strike, Most Improved Player, Zoe Teague. The W A Hunt Cup for the Player who had made the Most Conspicuous Contribution to the Band during the year was awarded to Edward Thomas and the Player of the Year was Lowenna Taylor. She also received The Eric Richards Memorial Shield from Mrs Janet Richards after having been voted Players’ Player by her fellow musicians. The A R Trudgian Youth Awards, which are presented at The West of England Bandsman’s Festival in June went to Joanne Rowe and Jacob Pritchard. The Chairman also made a Presentation to David Loukes on his retirement from the post of Senior Tutor and Music Co-ordinator after ten Courses.