Habs Concert Band have been invited to perform at the 38th National Festival of Music for Youth in Birmingham, following a splendid performance at the regional festival in Lambeth in February. The Festival is the largest of its kind in the world and takes place at various venues in Birmingham between 7 and 12 July. Habs Concert Band will perform between 10.30am and 2.30pm on 11 July at Symphony Hall, one of only eight school wind bands selected to participate from across the country as part of the festival, which also features orchestras, brass bands, jazz bands, choirs and steel bands. 

The Concert band will be playing their "signature tune", The Stripper, U6 student Toby Young's Hamilton Blues, which was written for the band earlier this year, along with a medley of pieces by the Dave Brubeck quartet. At the regional event, the band was described by the judges as a "well-oiled, highly proficient playing machine" and the rhythmic precision of the performance was singled out for particular praise.  

Day Tickets for the event, which are available from 1 May, can be obtained from Birmingham Town Hall Box Office (0121 780 3333 or www.thsh.co.uk) for £8 (£4 concs.) and give access to a range of events which form part of the National Festival.