Youth bands make national finals

Four bands of youngsters from Oxfordshire have reached the finals of a national music competition.

The county's youth orchestra, wind band, brass ensemble and the Central Music School Symphonia have all reached the Music for Youth finals.

They will be held over three days at the Birmingham Symphony Hall during the week beginning 11 July.

The county council's director of music, Richard Hallam, said it was a "great honour" to have so many in the finals.

He added: "It just illustrates again what marvellous young musicians there are in Oxfordshire, and how superb their teachers are to achieve such high standards.

"Over 50 regional festivals take place during the months of March and April up and down the country with groups hoping to get to the finals.

"We are really thrilled that Oxfordshire musicians have again been acknowledged as some of the best in the country."