The Burton Borough Band have breezed through to the NCBF National Finals - and scooped platinum awards in the process.
All three groups of the school’s highly-acclaimed band played in the regional section of the National Concert Band Festival on Sunday.
It is the latest in a line of remarkable achievements for the band and all three were awarded the new platinum award having achieved top marks.
The trio, who won two golds and a silver in the same competition last year, now progress to the national finals at the Birmingham Conservatoire, on April 10 and 11.
“What an achievement from a set of wonderful young people,” said Friends of Burton Borough School Band fundraiser, Helen Beal.
“They give up so much of their time to rehearse and take part in these festivals and competitions, on top of homework, exams and other activities.
“Well done to everyone who took part and special thanks to head of music, Alison Ruston, all the music staff and peripatetic teachers and Wayne Ruston, the musical director of Big Band.
“Thanks also to our road crew who, as ever, take the strain of lugging equipment to and from coaches and finally to parents for their encouragement.”
First on stage were the Junior Wind Band, who played A Festival Parade by Darrol Barry, La Caracola by Philip Sparke and Jazz Pieces from a suite by James Harper.
Next in the spotlight were the Concert Band, who raised the roof with performances of Encanto by Robert W Smith, Hymn for Africa by Peter Meechan and Into the Light by Jay Bocock.
And the school’s Big Band wrapped things up by earning a standing ovation with rousing performances of Attitude Adjustment by Larry Barton, Low Rider by Paul Murtha, The Creole Love Call by Duke Ellington, Sister Sadie by Bryan Kidd and Impact Zone by Larry Barton.
Last year the school’s Big Band and Concert Band along with the Junior Wind Band managed to make history after they scooped three gold awards at the National Concert Band Festival - becoming the first school in the history of the festival to achieve this.
That secured them a place at the world finals which were held in Holland earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the Friends of Burton Borough School Bands, which was initially set up to raise £15,000 to send the ban to the Netherlands for the World Music Concert earlier this year, has now been successfully registered as a charity.
Anyone who is interested in supporting the band financially can do so by contacting Mrs Beal on 07788 453140.