A PASSION for music has seen teenager Thomas Hurst embark on a tour in America, perform in Europe and take to the one of the world’s most famous stages.

Surprisingly the 17-year-old is not a famous musician but a member of a school band which has now gained World Championship status.

Now Thomas, who lives in Heaton, has become the first ever winner of T he Hi l t o n T r o p hy Fo r O u t s t a n d i n g Contribution to Smithills School Band.

Thomas said: “I was ecstatic to have received the trophy, it is just brilliant.”

The award ended a fantastic year for the talented musician who performs with World Championship Smithills Senior Brass Band and is principal trumpet player of World Championship Smithills Senior Concert Band.

He recently performed at the Royal Albert Hall when Smithills Senior Brass Band, with conductor Chris Wormald, took part in its eighth Music for Youth Schools Prom, having made its debut in 1995.

Thomas was the featured soloist performing the Michael Buble version of Cry Me A River.

The teenager has been a member of the band since he started at Smithills.

The band has gone on to achieve international acclaim.

Thomas said: “If I had not been in the band I would not have seen the places I have been and met the people.

“The band works as a team and look out for each other. We work hard and put the effort in and it can be quite tiring, but there is no way I would give it up.

“We have opportunities to go to so many places and meet new people.”

Musical director of the school’s bands, Chris Wormald, said Thomas—who is at Bolton Sixth Form College studying music, physics and maths — was a deserving winner of the memorial trophy.

Thomas says his ambition is to become a music teacher.