A YOUTH brass band won medals at the first competition they ever took part in at the weekend.

Outwood Academy Brass Band from Outwood Academy Shafton competed in the National Youth Brass Band Championships which were held at Warwick School on Saturday.

The band, who only formed in September, comprises 11 and 12-year-olds who are in their first year at the school.

Most of the members have been playing their instruments for only two years due to funding allocated to primary schools.

Kate Wragg, faculty leader for the creative arts, said: “The pupils had music lessons in primary school which are paid for.

“Our head teacher, Cara Ackroyd, was keen to allow the pupils to develop their skill and for a band to form and so we paid for their lessons.”

The band competed in the under 14 ‘Elementary’ category and performed four pieces; Rossini’s ‘William Tell Overture’, William Henry Monk’s ‘Eventide’, a waltz and Rodrigo’s ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’ which was affectionately referred to as ‘orange juice’ by the students in a nod to the film, ‘Brassed Off’.

“We’ve only been established as a brass band since September so to enter a competition this soon is amazing,” said Kate.

Outwood Academy Brass Band came third place overall within the competition and won first place for ‘Best Soloist’ for the performance of Rodrigo’s ‘Concerto de Aranjuez’.

“It’s actually unbelievable, we were all absolutely amazed when we got the results,” said Kate.

“We didn’t expect a trophy but I am so proud of everything they’ve achieved. They should feel really proud now.”