TWO Cleveland musicians play before royalty in Sweden this weekend.

Brass band soloists, James Chisholm and Stuart Shields, will take part in the concert by special request.

They were invited by Capt Alan Lewis, conductor of the Swedish Professional Regimental band, who met them at a brass band international summer school and was impressed by their dedication to practice and performance.

The weekend is a full regimental turnout with the Swedish Regimental band performing in front of the King and Queen of Sweden.

Cornet player, Mr Chisholm, aged 22, and Mr Shields, who plays euphonium, will each play a solo to highlight the quality of British instruments.

A law student at Newcastle university, Mr Chisolm started playing at the age of ten and quickly joined South Bank brass band, progressing through the ranks to become principal cornet with Cleveland youth brass band and eventually part of the North's Ever Ready band.

He will play W Rimmer's Hailstorm with the Swedish Dragoon Guard band.

Mr Shields, who works for a brass band instrument supplier, started playing the euphonium when he was 13 with the People's Mission silver band of which he is still a member, 21 years on. He also plays with Easington Colliery band. His piece this weekend is Grandfather Clock by George Doughty.

Both said the invitation was the highlight of their playing careers so far.