He's up there with the top brass on youth tour

Patrick Webb has been playing the cornet for 10 years.

A former Rotorua resident will be touring the country this month with the New Zealand National Youth Band.

Cornet player Patrick Webb, 19, is currently studying in Wellington and playing with the Wellington Brass Band.

He played with the Rotorua Brass Band at last year's nationals and has been part of the national youth band for several years.

"I have been with the band since 2012, it's always a privilege to be part of the group."

Patrick has been playing the cornet for 10 years and has just finished his first year at the New Zealand School of Music studying performance music.

"With the brass band it's such a family sort of thing, by studying music it means I'm meeting more people.

"I'm not too sure what I want to do after I finish studying, but I definitely want to continue with music."

His father Steve Webb said: "I am very proud that Patrick has been selected as solo cornet for this year's band."

The National Youth Band play concerts in Gisborne, Whakatane, Taupo and Napier from January 20 to 23.

Its musical director is David Bremner, who is also principal trombone with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the conductor of the Wellington Brass Band.

The guest soloist is Phil Johnston, who is the band master for the New Zealand Army Band and featured as a winning soloist at the New Zealand Brass Band Championships held in Rotorua last year.