Seindorf Beaumaris Youth Brass Band rounded off an historic weekend in The Netherlands by securing third place in the European Youth Brass Band Championships whilst solo trombonist, Merin Rhyd, also captured the prize for the competition's Best Soloist.
The annual Brass Band extravaganza saw 22 Brass Bands from 26 countries competing at the magnificent TivoliVredenburg Concert Hall in Utrecht with Seindorf Beaumaris representing Wales in the Premier Division of the Youth competition.
"It was, without doubt, the most passionate and emotional Youth Band performance I have ever conducted," said Seindorf Beaumaris' Musical Director, Gwyn Evans. "I couldn't have asked for more from this group of young musicians."
"They give their heart and soul in the Bandroom every week and that performance was something else. I am the luckiest Youth band conductor on this planet," added Gwyn.
Trombonist Merin Rhyd, who collected the Best Soloist prize for his rendition of Carnival of Venice was also overjoyed with his award. "It is absolutely incredible," he said. "I really wasn't expecting this. It is such a privilege to be able to play at the European Championships in the first place but to come away with the Soloist prize is a huge honour."
Gwyn Evans was also quick to thank the incredible generosity of the local community of Beaumaris and Anglesey in their fundraising effort to ensure the Band were able to make the trip to The Netherlands.
"It costs an incredible amount of money to bring 49 players and their instruments as well as the chaperones and tutors to Utrecht for the weekend and we'd like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for their kindness," said Gwyn.
"The support we have had from the community has been incredibly humbling," he said. "As well as generous donations from our Town Council and County Council, so many people from the town and the island have been incredibly generous."
"We really couldn't have done this without them and I hope we went a little way to repaying them with that performance."