NEWS that no fewer than eight of their members have received national recognition rounds off another brilliant year for Goodwick Brass Band.

The eight players have been selected to play in the National Youth Brass Band of Wales next year and will attend an intensive week-long course at Malvern College before performing in a two-concert tour.

Band organisers believe that eight players from one county is a record for representation in the national band.

“Last year, we thought we had done well with five members in the national band,” said musical director Matthew Jenkins, “but to nearly double that figure for next year is fantastic and real recognition of the hard work and achievements of the band during 2014.”

For Ben Williams-Stacey, who plays bass trombone, this will be his fourth year in the national band before he takes his place in the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Another coming up to his fourth year at national level is solo cornet Alex Morgan from Ysgol Preseli, while his fellow solo cornet Ben Lawrence of Ysgol Bro Gwaun looks forward to his third national appearance.

For tenor trombonist Nick McDonald of Milford School, Kiran Dearing of Tasker Milward School on euphonium and Aled Meredith-Barrett of Ysgol Dewi Sant on tuba it will be a second appearance in the national band. And Nick is also moving on to the Royal Welsh College in September.

Recognised nationally for the first time are Geraint Harries of Ysgol Preseli on tenor horn and Daniel Roche of Castle School on soprano cornet. All eight players feature in various Pembrokeshire Schools ensembles.

The national youth brass band course will be led by Philip Harper, renowned conductor of world champions Cory Band, and the July concerts will be staged in Cardiff and Neath.