A WOODBRIGE brass band is celebrating today after hitting the high note in a national competition to establish itself among the country's elite. The Woodbridge Excelsior Band qualified for the national finals of the Boosey and Hawkes Brass Band competition after storming its way in third place of the regional qualifiers on Sunday .

A WOODBRIGE brass band is celebrating today after hitting the high note in a national competition to establish itself among the country's elite.

The Woodbridge Excelsior Band qualified for the national finals of the Boosey and Hawkes Brass Band competition after storming its way in third place of the regional qualifiers on Sunday .

It is the first time in its 157-year history that the band has managed to qualify for the national finals of the competition. The success also means promotion from the fourth to the third section of the national league.

Assistant musical director Jackie Walker, who has been associated with the band for more than 30 years, said she was "over the moon" with the success.

"When they told us the result there was just a roar from all the band members, she said. "It was sheer delight. We were all jumping up and down and making lots of noise.

"It's beyond our wildest dreams to achieve this. We have still got a bit more work to do before the final but we are going in the right direction."

The 28-strong band, which ranges in age from 12 to 60, benefited from the expert guidance of Simon Dobson, the European young composer of the year for 2002.

In the build up to the competition, they completed a rigorous schedule of practise sessions with Mr Dobson to fine-tune their performance.

Each of the 19 bands in the competition, which was staged in Stevenage, were judged on their rendition of Lydian Pictures, with the top three bands qualifying for the national finals.

The band, which was struggling for survival just three years ago, is now beginning the task of raising the £3,000 it needs to compete in the finals, which are being held in Dundee in September.

If anyone would like to make a donation to the band, please call Sara Norris, the band secretary, on 01394 385749.