AS a new school year begins and we leave behind the most thrilling 12 months in the history of Smithills School Senior Brass Band, may I thank the Bolton Evening News and all of our superb sponsors once again for their continued and vital support of our outstanding young musicians both here and at Bolton Sixth Form College.

This July, at the Royal Festival Hall in London, our Senior Brass Band won the National Festival of music For Youth final for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year (2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004), which makes six very special victories in the past seven years - an achievement thought by many, including myself, to be quite impossible.

A great deal of commitment, determination and team spirit exist within all our bands and ensembles.

These continue to highlight that at a time when the world continues to exhibit so much disharmony, it is an honour to work with young people of all races, religions, ages, abilities and backgrounds and experience their energy, enthusiasm and loyalty.

Nobody makes it to the top of their specialism without an incredible amount of hard work, dedication and sacrifice, as has been typified by two of our former pupils this Summer - Sajid Mahmood breaking into the England cricket team, and, of course, Amir Khan's amazing success in the Olympics. For our young pupils in the Senior Brass Band to continually come out on top is a tribute to each instrumentalist, not to mention their parents and families.

I have said on many occasions that without the Bolton Evening News, Wallace Printers, Keoghs Solicitors, Chamberlain Doors, GN Systems, Warburtons, Greater Manchester Waste and Indespension, the success would not have happened.

I pay tribute to everyone who has contributed to the world-beaters it is my privilege to have directed since we formed in 1991. In particular, I would like to thank our retiring principal cornet player, Vanisha Gangiyani, who has led the band with incredible style, charisma and talent since 2002 and who now leaves us for university. She will be sorely missed and leaves behind her the legacy of having led the band to victory in every contest, festival and competition for the past two years. Quite a record!

Chris Wormald

Director of Arts College

Smithills School