MEMBERS of a youth brass band, who found success in their first ever competition have earned yet more recognition with a nomination for a Young Champions award.

Outwood Academy Brass Band from Outwood Academy Shafton, won medals at the National Youth Brass Band Championships at Warwick School and have been nominated in the Young Team of the Year - Entertainment category.

The band, who competed in the under 14 ‘Elementary’ category at the competition performed four pieces and finished in third place overall.

The band also won first place for ‘best soloist’ for their performance of Rodrigo’s ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’, which the students affectionately refer to as ‘orange juice’ in a nod to the way it is referenced in the film, ‘Brassed Off’.

Faculty leader for the creative arts Kate Wragg, said: “The students that form Outwood Academy Brass are so incredibly talented and I am so proud of their achievements this year.

“They are extremely committed and enthusiastic in every rehearsal and should be extremely proud of their trophies from the youth championships and their performance with the Grimethorpe Colliery band that followed.”

The band, which was only formed in September, compromises of 11 to 12-year-olds who are in their first year at the school. Most of the members have only been playing instruments for two years, due to primary school funding allocations.

“The National Youth Championship in Warwick was such an incredible experience for the students and a day that I and they will treasure,” said Kate.

“They did a fantastic job of representing us as an academy and also as ambassadors for keeping the tradition of brass bands going for another generation.”