There will be a rare chance to listen to two champion bands at a special charity concert in Cheltenham next week.

Gloucestershire Music’s brass band, who are the 2009 National Youth Brass Band champions, will be joined by Dutch champion brass band Excelsior Ferwert for the concert on Thursday, May 21st at Pittville Pump Room at 7.30pm. Gloucestershire’s leading youth wind band will also be performing.

The concert will raise money for the Trefor Evans Trust, which supports young musicians in Lithuania. Tickets are available on the door only for £6 (adults) and £4 (concessions).

The Gloucestershire Youth Brass Band won the national title at the Royal Northern College of Music last month, fighting off a very high standard of competition from 14 bands around the country to secure first place in the intermediate section.

The band is led by the students themselves but receives support from Gloucestershire Music - the county council's music arm - and the Gloucestershire Brass Band Association. This is the first chance to see the band perform since their national title triumph.

Steve Legge, Head of Brass at Gloucestershire Music, said: "It was great to see the talent, dedication and enthusiasm of these 41 young brass musicians rewarded with a national title. This is a great opportunity to see them in action alongside the best of brass talent from Holland. I hope lots of people come along to enjoy the concert and help us raise money for a really worthwhile cause at the same time.”

The Dutch Band is visiting Gloucestershire as part of a four-day UK tour and will also perform a joint concert with Lydbrook Brass Band at Lydbrook Parish Church on Friday, May 22nd (7.30pm).