Test for youth concert band

TUNED UP: The Wairarapa Youth Concert band conducts a rehearsal at St Matthew's Collegiate School's music room, in preparation for the National Concert Band competition. From left, Brianna Kendall-Hall, Victoria Jolliffe and Rhiannon Gwyther.PHOTO/ANDREW BONALLACK

The Wairarapa Youth Concert Band will be giving their all today at the National Concert Band competition in Tauranga, hoping to emulate last year's success.

The band, which started in 2003, is made up of 19 youth aged 12 to 18 from across Wairarapa.

The competition is an annual event. Last year the band was awarded silver for its performance and a gold for one of its solos.

Conductor Ruth Eckford, who describes herself as an "itinerant teacher", travels from school to school teaching students music.

She enjoys seeing the students "coming together to make a polished product.

"I just want to encourage them, so when they go to a new place and someone says, 'can you play an instrument?', they can. It's about extending their horizons."

Band secretary Debbie Ward thanked their sponsors and donors, including Pelorus, Trustlands and Eastern and Central trusts, Premier Beehive, Henergy, Parkvale Mushrooms, Breadcraft, Hansells and New World Masterton.