Steel Panning at the National Music for Youth Festival

North Tyneside Steelband have been invited to take part in this major national festival for under 19 musicians from across the UK and all types of music. NTSB are one of only 6 steelbands invited from the dozens who entered (over 3000 national entrants in total) and will play at the Adrian Boult Hall in Birmingham on July 10th, along with about 20 other ensembles in the international and traditional class. Of the 300 plus acts in the Birmingham based festival only 6 are from the north east, 3 choral, a chamber group, a big band and NTSB who will be flying the flag for Tyneside.

On the three occasions that NTSB have entered this festival previously they have always been among the 10% invited to the national festival, and on one occasion they were subsequently invited to play at the Royal Albert Hall for the Schools Proms. Musical Director Dave Edwards says 'When we got to the Albert Hall a few years ago which was a really great honour, there were only 3 steelbands in the national festival; this year six have got through and they are all very, very good indeed. We hope we can give a really good show in Birmingham, we'll certainly do our best, and if we get any further that will be fantastic with such a high standard among all the bands. We're going to enjoy the day anyway; it's a great opportunity to see the other bands and celebrate our success.'