Adjudicators announced for National Youth Brass Band Championships 2025
Largest National Youth Brass Band Championships to Date Set for March 2025

Brass Bands England (BBE) has announced the panel of adjudicators for the 2025 Youth Champs, taking place on 29th March 2025 at Hymers College, Hull. This year's event is set to be the largest in recent years, featuring 40 youth bands, including 11 youth bands who are making their debut. Spanning three sections - Besson Prodige Showcase, Yamaha Performance and Championship - the competition will highlight the talent and diversity of young brass musicians from across the country.
Youth Champs 2025 Adjudicators
Besson Prodige Showcase Section
This non-competitive section provides participants with constructive feedback from adjudicators: Zoe Wright and Sam Wyne. This section aims to develop and inspire young musicians.
Zoe Wright: A former Principal Horn of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, Zoe has won multiple awards, including Best Tenor Horn at Brass in Concert. She now conducts Whitworth Vale and Healey Youth Band and is dedicated to mentoring young musicians.
Sam Wyne: A Birmingham Conservatoire graduate and brass educator, Sam is currently a Regional Development Executive for ABRSM. His work with Wantage Band has earned recognition though the BBE Social Impact Award.
Yamaha Performance Section
This competitive section will be adjudicated by Jamie Smith, Thomas Dunne and Alan Duguid with an extra adjudicator added due to the number of bands.
Jamie Smith: Principal Cornet of Grimethorpe Colliery Band and a founding member of A4 Brass Quartet, Jamie is an acclaimed performer and educator.
Thomas Dunne: A conductor, music journalist and PhD researcher on music education accessibility in Wales, Thomas has led the Lydney Town Band to national success.
Alan Duguid: A conductor and educator, Alan leads Haberdasher's Boys' School's music department and has worked with renowned brass bands internationally.
Championship Section
The top section of Youth Champs will be judged by Ashley Dixon and Chris Houlding. The highest-ranked English band will qualify for the 2026 European Youth Brass Band Championships.
Ashley Dixon: A University of Salford graduate and Foden's Band Principal Baritone, Ashley is a dedicated music educator, leading the Music and Expressive Arts curriculum in a secondary school.
Chris Houlding: A professor at the Folkwang University of Arts in Germany and a visiting tutor at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Chris has a rich history with brass bands as a conductor and performer. His experience spans symphony orchestras, international adjudication and fostering brass banding in Germany through his work with the Deutsche Brass Verband.
An Inspiring Event for Young Musicians
The National Youth Championships are set to be an incredible event for young musicians. Speaking about this year's championships, BBE Events Manager, Jess Wilson said:
"We are thrilled to welcome such an esteemed panel of adjudicators for the 2025 Youth Champs. Their expertise and passion for nurturing young talent will make this event a truly memorable experience. We look forward to celebrating the future of brass banding and offering a platform for young musicians to thrive."
Tickets will be available for purchase on Saturday 22th February, available on the Brass Bands England website. On-the-door tickets will be available from the ticket stall throughout the event day.
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