Concert, 1st August 2025

A recording of this concert will be available shortly.

She Moved Through The Fair | Irish Trad arr. Matt Kingston
A beautifully evocative and haunting modal melody. This gentle Irish folk song features some wonderful harmonies and flowing, lyrical melodies.

Spirit of Youth | Goff Richards
Goff Richards was a unique musical talent. He worked as a performer, a writer and an educator, and became known the world over for his brand of quality music. He was one of the pioneering spirits behind the growing success of the then Salford College of Technology, as well as being the director of The Chetham’s School Big Band. His expertly crafted output was regarded with great respect, with many works becoming staple concert repertoire for bands at all levels. His ‘Spirit of Youth’ perfectly encapsulates the pride, joy and energy within The NYBBGB Children’s Band.

Clash Of The Titans | Tamsin Crook
‘Clash Of The Titans’ is a dramatic and powerful piece that takes the listeners on an epic journey, evoking the grandeur and intensity of mythical battles between legendary forces. From its thunderous opening, ‘Clash Of The Titans’ captures the listener’s imagination with bold fanfares and driving rhythms. The piece paints a vivid soundscape of warring gods, heroic deeds and the unyielding spirit of those caught amid an epic struggle. Throughout, the interplay between different sections of the brass band highlights the drama and tension, creating a dynamic and intense piece. The soaring melodies of the cornets and flugel horn contrast with the commanding presence of the lower brass, while the percussion adds urgency and impact, like the rumble of distant thunder or the clash of mighty swords. As the piece unfolds, moments of calm and reflection provide a counterbalance to the intensity, reminding us of the courage and resilience needed to endure such trials. Programme note written by the composer.

Pater Noster | Rebecca Lundberg
Soloist Lewis Barton
‘Pater Noster’ was inspired by the words of ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ and is hymn-like in style. It is the perfect vehicle for Lewis Barton to present his beautiful dark tone and incredible phrasing.

WORLD PRÈMIERE | Marche Triomphale | Easher Austin
Easher Austin (age 14) is the youngest ever entrant of The NYBBGB Young Composers’ Competition. His composition ‘Marche Triomphale’ prèmieres at today’s concert and was highly commended by this year’s judges. ‘Marche Triomphale’ was inspired by the military-style marches Easher heard played at the Coronation of King Charles III. He wanted his piece to communicate both triumphant feelings of victory as well as sadness associated with fallen comrades and the longing for home.

The Old Chalet | Swiss Trad arr. Elgar Howarth
This traditional Swiss tune was arranged by Elgar Howarth for The Grimethorpe Colliery Band in the 1980s. It was featured in one of their winning Granada Band of The Year programmes.

A Malvern Suite | Philip Sparke
‘A Malvern Suite’ was written in 1984 after a visit to Hereford and Worcester and is in three movements, each named after one of the ‘Three Choirs’ venues:

1. Worcester Cathedral: A brisk unison opening leads to the first fanfare-like subject on the cornets, which is followed by a broad theme on the horns, baritones and euphoniums. The mood subsides until a lighter, chordal passage is introduced by the middle of the band, which leads to the central climax of the movement for full band. The original fanfare material returns quietly, interrupted by the broad theme, before the movement fades to a close.
2. The Wye at Hereford: The second movement opens with a wistful trombone solo which introduces the main theme on the solo cornet. This is followed by a light staccato passage, which accompanies a cantabile tune on the euphoniums and baritones. This is taken up by the whole band until, after a climax, the cornet tune returns, this time on full band. The movement closes quietly.
3. Gloucester Market: This is a bright and breezy movement starting with a perky tune on the horns and euphoniums. This is answered by the cornets and basses and followed by a bridge passage, which leads to a legato cornet solo over a rhythmic accompaniment. This expands until the whole band is playing and leads back with a short reminder of the main theme from an Eb bass, which is interrupted by the whole band in unison.

INTERVAL

Vitae Lux | Frode Alnæs arr. Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen & Gutte Og Mann’ | Norwegian Trad arr. Sven Giske
‘Vitae Lux’ is the Latin phrase for ‘Light of Life’. This hymn-like tune starts with an unaccompanied cornet soloist, which with the band gradually builds up to an emphatic climax. The Norwegian folk song ‘Gutten Og Mann’ translates to “The Boy and the Man”. It is a popular song, particularly known as a choral piece, and is often featured in collections of Norwegian folk music. The song explores the transition from childhood to adulthood, showcasing the differences in perspective, experiences and responsibilities that come with each stage of life.

WORLD PRÈMIERE | The Beauty Of Their Dreams | Andrea Price
Acclaimed composer Andrea Price brings her evocative and imaginative voice to this newly commissioned work, written especially for the exceptional young musicians of The NYBBGB Children’s Band for its 2025 Summer Course. Andrea explains, “I particularly enjoy composing for young or less experienced players. It is always an exciting challenge to say something new whilst writing music that is technically accessible. Of course, The NYBBGB Children’s Band is an outstanding ensemble, and it was also lovely to give more virtuosic features to some of the principal players”.

‘The Beauty Of Their Dreams’ unfolds like a journey through the subconscious, beginning with a poignant vocal melody, featuring lyrics penned by the young performers themselves. A stately introduction gives way to a whimsical, dreamlike passage, filled with delicate textures and playful charm. As the piece progresses, an aleatoric section emerges, where whispered fragments of dreams intermingle with instrumental solos and atmospheric percussion. These ghost-like murmurs gradually lead the listener into a darker realm, transforming the dream into a nightmare. The ensemble erupts with fury in a dramatic, dissonant climax full of sudden musical shocks and relentless energy.

Just as chaos reaches its peak, silence interrupts and a bold trombone solo ushers in a passage of calm. A solitary horn responds, guiding us into a gentle, music-box lullaby. The turmoil subsides and the dream gently resets. The piece concludes with a triumphant return to the opening material: a musical reaffirmation of courage, imagination and the boundless wonder of youthful dreaming.

Mad World (as sung by Demi Lovato) | Roland Orzabal
Featuring The NYBBGB Children’s Band Choir
Demi Lovato said, “I saw this song in Donnie Darko when I was 14 and have listened to it over and over. I kind of forgot about it until I went to Big Bear [in California] and was sitting by the fire listening to music and it came on. I immediately texted my producer Mitch Allan and said, ‘We have to cover Mad World’. He was like, ‘Cool, I’ll make the track’”.

Under The Boardwalk | Resnick & Young arr. Philip Harper
Soloist Lewis Barton
‘Under the Boardwalk’ is a song written by Arthur Resnick and Kenny Young, first made famous by The Drifters in 1964. It became a hit, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been covered by numerous artists and has become a popular classic. This arrangement by Philip Harper features Lewis Barton as the soloist.

Hejre Kati | Jeno Hubay arr. Leigh Baker
Soloist Lewis Barton
‘Hejre Kati’, originally by German violinist Jeno Hubay and adapted by Mexican trumpet virtuoso Raphael Mendez, has been skilfully adapted by Leigh Baker. It is a fast-paced exciting journey of technical brilliance.

Thula Baba | African Trad arr. Alan Fernie
‘Thula Baba’ is a popular Zulu lullaby. This lullaby is sung by a mother to her child, as they await the return of their husband/father who has gone away to work. The brass band arrangement is by Alan Fernie.

Sailor’s Hymn | Amber Hooton
‘Sailor’s Hymn’ was written for a cultural exchange between brass and wind bands from St Helens (Valley Brass Band) and Normandy (Harmonie Courselles Sur Mer), culminating in a massed bands concert in Normandy during April 2024. The piece was one of several arrangements and original compositions written especially for the exchange, supported by grants from the Victoria Wood Foundation and Johnson Foundation. The concert celebrated the local cultures of Merseyside and Normandy, as well as the wider national cultures of the United Kingdom and France. This composition depicts a scene of sailors preparing to depart from the port of Liverpool, looking out over the docks as the Blue Peter flag flies, beckoning the sailors aboard to begin their long journey. It is a piece about saying goodbye to what was once familiar, moving on and pushing towards new horizons.

Dr David Thornton is regarded as one of the foremost brass band conductors, euphonium players and teachers of his generation and has a global reputation. His work as a soloist, conductor and educator is renowned throughout the brass playing world to have a distinct hallmark of extreme virtuosity, professionalism and an ability to connect with audiences like few others in his field.

His work within the brass band world has seen him at the top-flight for over two decades. He has held solo euphonium positions with the Black Dyke, Brighouse & Rastrick and Foden’s bands, winning five National titles, three British Opens and one European Championship. David is currently enjoying his second spell as Musical Director of the Brighouse & Rastrick Band (2017-2019 and January 2025 onwards). David also spent three years as Principal Conductor of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band (2019-2022) and is currently Principal Conductor with the GUS Band.

As a recording artist, David has released four solo albums and also conducted on numerous high profile projects, including ‘Shine’ (a Les Neish solo album), ‘The Music of Howells and Bliss’ (Brighouse & Rastrick) and an album of music by Nigel Clarke released in 2020 (Grimethorpe).

David is Joint Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion at Chetham’s School of Music, Director of Brass Bands at the RNCM and Artistic Director of the RNCM International Brass Band Festival.

Lewis Barton is a 19 year old trumpet undergraduate in his second year of studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Lewis thoroughly enjoyed being a member of The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, since he joined in 2018, and over the years worked his way up to being appointed Principal Cornet of the Band in 2023 and 2024. As part of the organisation, he was also selected to be a member of their Ambassador Ensemble which has participated in many outreach projects to primary schools in the North West, as well as collaborating with The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain in 2024. Lewis has also held Principal Trumpet positions in both the Hallé Youth Orchestra (2023-24) and Opera North Youth Orchestra (2024-25).

Throughout his career, Lewis has picked up many notable accolades for his solo playing. Some of his proudest achievements include being awarded best soloist at the at the Doctor Martins Competiton (2021) the Spring Festival Senior Cup (2023) and recently winning the Harry Mortimer Solo Competiton as part of The NYBBGB organisation (2020 and 2024).

Lewis was appointed Principal Cornet of the Leyland Band in 2024. He enjoys performing solo recitals across the country and has recently recorded his first solo recital documentary which will be released later this year.

Andrea Price’s background in world-class music education is matched by two decades of experience in performance at the highest level. Having enjoyed a stellar career as a percussionist for a number of brass bands including the world famous Yorkshire Building Society (YBS) and Black Dyke bands, Andrea has won every major brass band competition, recorded numerous CDs and toured the world as a performer. She is also a highly respected adjudicator both in the UK and internationally, and has worked as a conductor for a number of well-known bands.

Andrea studied composition under Peter Graham and has become an extremely successful composer of brass band, instrumental and choral music. Her works have been performed internationally by brass bands of all levels and recorded by renowned ensembles such as YBS, Black Dyke and Foden’s. Passionate about creating music for soloists, Andrea’s compositions feature prominently on acclaimed solo albums by artists including Gary Curtin, Sheona Wade and Brett Baker. She also relishes writing for youth bands and beginner or intermediate performers, contributing regularly to the repertoire of lower section and youth brass bands. Several of her instrumental pieces for brass instruments are featured on the ABRSM and LCM graded examination syllabuses.

Her poignant work And Earth Raised Up Her Head was met with critical acclaim at The RNCM Brass Festival and has since been heard on BBC Radio 3. Andrea’s first brass band test piece, I, Daedalus, has already been used as the set work at contests in the UK, Australia and North America. She will soon be releasing a major new work aimed at the 2nd section.

Alongside her work as a composer, adjudicator, conductor and performer, Andrea has a busy teaching and pastoral role at the world-renowned Chetham’s School of Music.

Easher Austin, aged 14, is a Year 9 student at Loughborough Grammar School and also attends Junior Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on Saturdays. He plays clarinet, bass clarinet and organ. Playing bass clarinet in school and conservatoire wind bands is his favourite musical activity. For the past year, Easher has also played bass clarinet in the British Clarinet Ensemble which often plays challenging new repertoire which he really enjoys.

Easher also studies organ, plays regularly at local church services and relishes the occasional opportunity to play really big organs at prestigious cathedrals!

Composition is something Easher has enjoyed since the age of 9 when he was inspired by hearing a wonderful live performance of Bernstein’s ‘West Side Story’. Easher has had two of his wind band compositions played in concerts by the Junior Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Wind Orchestra and his Sonata for Bass Clarinet and Piano was awarded Highly Commended in the BBC Young Composer Competition 2023. Easher’s work ‘Marche Triomphale’ was Highly Commended by the judges of this year’s NYBBGB Young Composers’ Competition.