MORE than 100 young musicians from Gloucestershire will be competing in the finals of the National Concert Band Festival.

This competition is part of the UK’s largest competitive wind and jazz band festival, musicians with the county council’s music education service Gloucestershire Music will pit their skills against the very best musical talent in the UK.

The county will be well represented, with Pate’s Grammar School Big Band, Gloucestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Gloucestershire Youth Wind Orchestra all performing.

Over 40 bands will meet at Warwick School for two days of music-making before the competition kicks off from April 8-9.

Steven Legge head of instrumental and vocal tuition at Gloucestershire Music said: “To represent Gloucestershire at a national level is an honour and to have such a strong representation is testimony to the quality of our teaching and dedication of our young musicians.”

Last year Gloucestershire Youth Wind Orchestra and Gloucestershire Youth jazz orchestra were awarded gold and silver at the festival, Gloucestershire Music hopes to repeat this success again in 2017.

Cllr Paul McLain Gloucestershire county council’s cabinet member for children and young people said: “I’d like to wish pupils the very best of luck in this highly acclaimed national competition.

“It’s fantastic that the county’s talented young people are being given the opportunity to compete at a national level – and I am delighted that Gloucestershire Music is encouraging them to pursue their musical ambitions.”

Watch the bands in action on the links below:

Gloucestershire Youth Wind Orchestra - www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c9Hypo2h9c

Pate’s Grammar School Big Band - www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSL7DG8ZieM

Gloucestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra - www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYbLcPn4lR8