George Bailey (16) has been given a place in the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain playing the flugelhorn

A 16-YEAR-OLD Jersey boy has made it into the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain to play an instrument he has never played before.

George Bailey impressed the judges so much at his audition – where he played the cornet – that they offered him a place in the band playing the flugelhorn, which is similar to a trumpet.

Luckily they were not too different, said his mother, Mel, so it should be easy for him to learn it.

The Le Rocquier School pupil is also thought to be the first Channel Islander in 30 years to make it into the band, which was founded in 1952 by Denis Wright.

‘It is absolutely fantastic,’ said Mrs Bailey. ‘We are so proud. He normally plays the cornet but he was offered a place on the flugelhorn, having never played it.’

She said that her son played trumpet, post-horn and piano but cornet was his favourite. Mrs Bailey, of St Clement, said that there were 76 people in the band and four played the flugelhorn.

Mrs Bailey is married to Simon and they have two other children, Thomas (23), who plays the trombone, and Grace (20), who plays the violin.

The 16-year-old auditioned in London in June last year and was offered a position this year.

The band exists to provide opportunities for young people to play brass band music to the highest standards.

They regularly record for BBC Radio 2 and Radio 3 and each course ends with a number of prestigious concerts. Over 4,000 players have taken part in the 113 courses held since the band was founded, including many who have since become world-renowned performers and conductors.