A TALENTED musician from the Clogher Valley’s dream has come true after she was selected to play with the renowned European Youth Brass Band later this month.

Cornet player, Chloe Eagleson, is one of just two young people from Northern Ireland to get into the prestigious band, which will meet in Utrecht in the Netherlands in the week prior to the 2018 European Brass Band Championships.

The Fivemiletown teenager, who is in the first year studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, described her selection as one of her biggest achievements to date.

A total of 36 young brass players, aged between 18 and 22, from 16 different countries, are going to Utrecht on April 28.

They will meet in the Akoesticum in Ede for the seating auditions and first rehearsal under the baton of the distinguished conductor Ivan Meylemans.

Their schedule will be extremely busy with rehearsals and concerts towards the end of the week.

The highlight will be the Saturday night concert performing with the renowned Eikanger-Bjorsvik brass band, who won the championship in 2017.

Music has always been Chloe’s favourite subject.

At home, she has played with the famous Murley Silver Band, a championship section band, since she was eight years old.

In Wales, she has joined Llwydcoed brass band, who are also a championship section band.

The former Enniskillen Royal Grammar School pupil said that being part of Murley band had really helped her grow as a player and had given her so many experiences.

She said: “I especially love the family feel to the band. I love contesting at a high level and I enjoy doing concerts and performances with the band.

“Murley qualified to compete at the European Brass Band Contest in Lille, France in 2016.

“The experience was amazing; getting to perform at one of the biggest and most important events in the brass band calendar, but also getting to hear the live performances of the world’s top brass bands in the Championship section.

“It was the trip of a lifetime in Lille and I cannot wait for another European experience in Utrecht,” the talented student added.