MUSICIANS from Verwood Concert Brass picked up a haul of awards at the Wessex Brass Band Association contest for youth and training bands.

It was the first time the Verwood Training Band had entered a contest and they not only picked up the award for best training band but also for being the best band overall at the competition held on Saturday (January 27) 27th January, and were delighted to win many prizes. And to add to the success, the Verwood Youth Band won the best youth band award and the Verwood Youth Ensemble picked up the best youth ensemble prize.

A number of the young Verwood players also picked up individual awards in recognition of their excellent playing. Gold awards were given to Naomi Selby-Grace for her cornet playing and Emma Close for her trombone solo The Acrobat. Jack Musselwhite was awarded a cup for best instrumentalist of the day and the award for best soloist of the day went to Amy Cooke for her tenor horn solo performance of Feelings.

Mike Dunnings, the musical director and conductor of the Verwood Youth and Training Bands, said "I couldn’t have been more delighted nor prouder of how each and every player performed. For many, taking part in a contest was a new experience and they came through it with flying colours and of course it was fabulous winning some prizes in recognition of their efforts."

The doors of the Verwood Concert Brass band room are open to new players of any age and of any standard, to come along and join the training band or the Verwood Youth Band. For more information go to verwoodconcertbrass.co.uk.