Hampshire County Council's County Youth Band will end its 40th anniversary celebration with a reunion concert and pay tribute to its outstanding director, Leighton Rich, who will retire after 16 years.

Over the last 40 years, the band has won many awards, including the current title of BBC Radio 2 Youth Brass Band of the Year.

Three times National Youth Brass Band Champions, they have reaped many "Outstanding Performance Awards", as well as being highly commended for performances at the Festival of Music for Youth at the Royal Festival Hall in London, resulting in appearances at the Schools' Prom at the Royal Albert Hall.

They have also been invited to perform at the Music for Youth festival at the Royal Festival Hall on July 10th.

Formed in 1963 as the Mid Hants School Brass Band by John Knight, the band has gone from strength to strength. It was renamed Hampshire County Youth Band in 1990 as the number of talented musicians joining each year increased.

The band has spent the last year celebrating its 40th anniversary, which will climax next weekend as a special Reunion Band, featuring 150 past members, joining the current Hampshire County Youth Band, Hampshire County Training Band and the Hampshire County Junior Band at a concert at the Anvil, Basingstoke, organised by acting director, Alan Pring, to commemorate the special occasion.

County Youth Band director, Leighton Rich will conduct the band during the concert. Sadly, this represents his last performance before he retires through ill health.

His enthusiasm and talent, which was recognised when we was awarded the Mortimer Medal by the Worshipful Company of Musicians Guild of London in 1996 for his outstanding commitment to the teaching of young brass players and youth bands will be greatly missed.

Alan Pring will direct the band while a permanent replacement is found to continue leading these outstanding bands to success.

A reunion luncheon for past members has been arranged for July 6th, before they attend a public performance by one of the world's leading brass bands, the Black Dyke Band, at 3pm at the Anvil, Basingstoke, to end the celebrations.

The band has toured widely, including Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Italy and Spain. This year, they hosted the National Youth Band of New Zealand and gave a spectacular joint performance in Basingstoke in April.

Hampshire County Council's executive member for education, , Don Allen said: "Hampshire County Youth Band has achieved a great deal in the last 40 years and has been noted nationally for its successes.

"I would like to congratulate the band and their successive and successful directors on their outstanding development over the last 40 years.

"In particular, I would like to congratulate Leighton Rich, for his unswerving dedication to the high quality of music production as he leaves the music service to begin retirement.

"He has been an inspirational director for 16 years. His passion for music, dedication and commitment has made him a much-respected member of the community.

"I am sure that many people would like to join me in sending him all our good wishes and thanking him for bringing an excellence and joy in music for many young people and their families in Hampshire."

For information about the Special Reunion Concert or the Black Dyke Band Concert, contact the box office at The Anvil, on 01256 844244.