Wardle Academy bands win National Championships

Wardle Academy Bands win National Championships

Three Wardle Academy bands won in the National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at Salford University on Sunday.

The event is the biggest youth brass competition in the UK and sees the highest calibre of youth brass talent competing to be crowned national champions. 

• Wardle Junior Blast - which comprises of 40 students aged between seven and 11 - won the National Youth Beginner Section.
• Wardle Junior Band - which includes 52 students aged between 11 and 16 - won the National Youth Junior Section.
• Wardle Youth Band - which is the most senior band entered and comprises of students and ex-students aged from 11 to 18 - won the National Youth Intermediate Section. 

Wardle Academy Youth Band, which was crowned National Youth Entertainment Champions of Great Britain in February, will represent England at the European Youth Brass Band Championships in the Netherlands in May 2018.

Head of Music at Wardle Academy, Mrs Julie Morris said: "This is an incredible achievement to not just win one section but three, gaining three national titles in one day. We are incredibly proud to have so much talent in one school and within our feeder primary schools.

"Special thanks to the hard work of all those involved, especially Lee Rigg, who conducted all three bands on the day, Jane Conway and Gwen Smith who also tutor many of the pupils involved and to the parents who continue to support us.

"Huge congratulations to all the students and the performing arts team. This incredible achievement is a credit to the hard work and dedication of everyone who works so hard within this department.

"Staff and parents of Wardle Academy will be cheering them on when they compete in the European Championships in May 2018.