WIGAN'S youth brass band has scaled new heights.

Their amazing rags to riches story culminated in a spectacular performance in front of a packed Royal Albert Hall, with a concert that included a show stopping rendition of Aaron Copland's 'Fanfare for the Common Man' from the gallery at the very top of the famous venue.

The band was invited to take part in the 2005 Schools Proms after winning the Outstanding Performance award at the music For Youth National Brass Band festival in July. They took two coachloads of parents and supporters with them.

Conductor Dave Little said: "It has been a real rags to riches story for the Wigan Youth Brass Band. We began in 1997 rehearsing in the semi derelict

Mesnes High School on Parsons Walk - we didn't even have our own set of music stands!

"It was amazing to see the band, now in its eighth year, dressed in their new uniforms and playing at the most famous concert hall in the world.

"We were all very nervous about the performance, especially the Fanfare which we played to start off the entire concert from the top gallery of the Albert Hall. This piece is one of the most scary to play because there are so many exposed high notes which need to be hit just right and in tune.

"The young players did an amazing job and coped with the pressure like professionals. The performance went exceptionally well and received huge applause from a packed hall."

Over 50,000 young musicians have taken part in the regional and national festivals this year with just a handful making it through to the grand finale.

Dave added: "Band members were proud to be wearing their brand new uniforms for this special performance. This was a very expensive project and we were delighted to receive financial backing from the Department of Education and Wigan Council who met most of the costs.

"We're now looking forward to taking part in the National Brass Band Championships in April 2006, and looking ahead, we hope to take the band on tour Poland in 2007 to mark its tenth anniversary."

Cllr Brian Wilson, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, paid tribute to the band's achievement. He said: "Our music service works with many talented musicians and ensembles and we are really proud of the tremendous opportunities they provide for our young people and their many achievements.

This is a fantastic honour for the band and brings great credit to the Borough."

Wigan Youth Brass Band is one of 24 ensembles run through Wigan Music Service.

Formed in 1997 by Dave Little and legendary band conductor Richard Evans, the band has gone on to perform regularly at top venues in the north of England, including Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, and has toured France, Italy, Germany and most recently Belgium.