A RECEPTION was held for the Scottish Borders Youth Brass Band on Friday, ahead of their upcoming trip to the European Championships in Belgium.

The event was hosted by Scottish Borders Council and hosted by convenor Graham Garvie to recognise the band’s success in winning the senior section of the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships, and to wish them good luck when they represent Scotland in Ostend later this month.

Councillor Garvie said: "I was delighted to welcome this group of fabulous young musicians to the Council, and was especially pleased to hear them play.

"They are an extremely talented group and they will be superb ambassadors for the Scottish Borders and Scotland when they take on the best bands from across Europe." 

The band is comprised of 40 brass and percussion musicians from across the Borders, aged between 11 and 18.

Scott Renwick, chairman of the Scottish Borders Brass Band Association, said: "The band was pleased to take up the invitation to the civic reception and the opportunity to perform in the council chamber.

"We are all looking forward to our European adventure and will do our best to bring back the title to Scotland. It will be a fantastic experience for the young people and I am sure they will all enjoy meeting and competing against their peers from across Europe."