THREE bands from the same college are to take part in the finals of the National Festival of Music for Youth, one of the top events of its kind in the world.
It is the first time Northallerton College has had three bands reach the finals - although two of its bands got through in 2000.
Altogether, 70 young musicians studying in Northallerton will be travelling to London for the event, and the biggest group, the Concert Band, will be playing at the Royal Festival Hall on July 5.
The same day, the 20 members of Jazz Orchestra will play in the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the following day Dixie Band's eight musicians will also play in the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Each of the bands got through after impressing the judges at a regional final held in Stockton in March.
Head of music Garry Firth said: "I'm absolutely delighted and very proud of the students. To get one band through to the final is an achievement. To get three through is out of this world."
He said: "We have a lot of hard work to do now.
"We are competing with the best in the country and have limited rehearsal time because the four-week exam, period in May and June makes it virtually impossible to get everyone together."
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