NO fewer than eight young Pembrokeshire musicians made their own piece of music history last week when they played for the National Youth Brass Band of Wales.

It is believed to be the largest contingent to represent a single county on the national band with all the players having come through the Pembrokeshire music programme and representing the highly successful Goodwick Brass Band.

The week-long course at Malvern College ended with a short tour featuring concerts at Neath’s Gwyn Hall and the Dora Stoutzker Hall at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Both performances delighted packed audiences and Sunday’s event ended with encores and a standing ovation.

Under the direction of the world champion Cory Band’s eminent conductor Philip Harper, the youth band premiered a Dylan Thomas-inspired work by Welsh composer Hilary Tann and featured Harper’s own dazzling constellations, the majesty of Herbert Howells’ Pageantry, Edward Gregson’s Connotations and the stirring Welsh favourite, Castell Coch.

A trio of Latin American favourites brought a fiery conclusion to the concerts which were attended by Hilary Tann and President of the NYBBW, Professor Edward Gregson.

Tutors during the course included Cory Band’s renowned soprano cornet player Steve Stewart who is based in Pembrokeshire.

The eight players from the county were bass trombonist Ben Williams-Stacey (19) and solo cornet Alex Morgan (18), both making their fourth national appearances; and third-timer Ben Lawrence (18), also solo cornet.

Playing for the second time at national level were tenor trombonist Nick McDonald (18), Kiran Dearing (17) on the euphonium and tuba player Aled Meredith-Barrett (17) while tenor horn player Geraint Harries (16) and soprano cornet player Daniel Roche (14) were making their first appearances on the national stage.