A YOUNG euphonium player from Thorpe Thewles has been invited to join the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

Tim Cooper, 17, a sixth form student at Egglescliffe School, has played the instrument for ten years.

He has appeared regularly with the school band at the Festival of Music for Youth, in London, and at the national Youth Brass Band championships, where the band achieved second place last year.

Tim is also a member of Tees Valley Youth Brass Band and has received some tuition through the Tees Valley music service. He studies with David Thornton of the Black Dyke Band.

Tim also plays with Murton Colliery Band, which will perform at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

By joining the National Youth Brass Band, Tim will have the chance to perform advanced music and receive the highest quality teaching.

He attended an Easter course at Harrogate last week, where the guest conductors were Nick Childs, conductor of the Black Dyke Band, and Gary Cutt, who conducts the Fodens Richardson Band. The course ended with concerts at the University of York and at Manchester Cathedral.

Tim said, "I was really excited by working with two great brass band conductors alongside other members of the National Youth Brass Band.

"It has given a boost to my hope of going on to become a professional brass player and teacher."