Following successful performances in the Music for Youth regional heats at the Albemarle in March, the East Riding Percussion Ensemble and Senior Wind Band were selected to take part in the National Festival which was held in Birmingham at the beginning of this month.

The percussionists played superbly at the CBSO Centre alongside four other percussion ensembles from around the country, including our close neighbours from Hull. They played The River and Fiesta en la Playa under the direction of Mr Sykes, for which they received very positive feedback from the Mentors.

Two days later, in Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, the Senior Wind Band, under the baton of Mrs Walker, gave brilliant performances of The Last Cry of the Unicorn and 633 Squadron, which really raised the roof!

Both groups of musicians gave splendid performances and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

The Friends were delighted to be able to subsidise the cost of the coaches to Birmingham.