Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain under the direction of Guest Conductor Colonel Barringer MVO MBE.
As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we honour the courage and sacrifice of those who secured our freedom. We also recognise all those who have gone before us, to make The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain the best youth brass band in the world.
This concert also marks a significant milestone in our three-year partnership with The Royal Corps of Army Music, the UK’s largest employer of professional brass band musicians. This collaboration offers the young musicians of The NYBBGB unparalleled opportunities to learn from and perform with British Army musicians. Tonight’s performance embodies our shared commitment to musical excellence and remembrance.
The NYBBGB is extremely grateful to British Army Music for their generous support.
A recording of the concert is available here.
Guest Conductor
Colonel David Barringer MVO MBE has had an incredible journey in the world of music. He joined the Army in 1989 and studied at the Army Junior School of Music in Pirbright and the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall. In 1993, he became a part of the Coldstream Guards Band as a tuba player.
David’s passion for conducting started early. In 1998, he won the London heat of the Young Conductor of the Year Competition and was the runner-up in the National final. In 2000, he went on to represent Great Britain at the first European Conductor of the Year competition.
David’s talent and dedication led him to many prestigious roles. He progressed to become a British Army Bandmaster and was later commissioned as an officer. He became the Director of Music for the Band of the Royal Corps of Signals, the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and the Band of the Welsh Guards. In 2018, he was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of his hard work and contribution to the Army and Army Music.
In 2019, David became the youngest ever Principal Director of Music (Army) and oversaw the Military Music Optimisation programme. He was appointed as Commanding Officer of the Household Division Bands and was the musical director for the State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II, the Coronation Procession and Concert for HM King Charles III, and was the project lead for significant national events such as the Festival of Remembrance. In recognition of his service to the Monarch, he was invested as a Member of the Victorian Order (MVO) in June 2023.
David’s musical journey is a testament to his dedication and talent. He is also a devoted family man, married to Emma, with two children, William and Evie.
Guest Soloist
Isobel Daws began to play the cornet at the age of three under the joint direction of her father, David Daws, and the late Maisie Ringham Wiggins MBE. She moved onto the trombone in September 2008 and within six months, gained a scholarship to study trombone and piano at The Purcell School of Music. After 8 years at The Purcell, she moved to Chetham’s School to study A Levels. Isobel then went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music with Matt Gee, Peter Moore and Ian Bousfield.
In 2014 Isobel was one of the five finalists in the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year Brass Category, and in 2018 she was once again in the Brass Category Final where she went on to be crowned the winner. Isobel is an alumna of the Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama, The National Children’s and Youth Brass Bands of Great Britain, and The National Children’s and Youth Orchestras of Great Britain.
Isobel has performed with orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, Philharmonia, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Welsh National Opera and brass ensemble, Septura. Isobel is a founding member of trombone quartet, Bone-afide, who have recorded a Christmas album Christmas with Bone-afide and more recently a folk album with World of Sound.
Isobel is currently principal trombonist with the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra.
About British Army Music
The Corps of Army Music (CAMUS) was formed in 1994 by unifying all regular Army bands under one Corps. In January 2021, The Countess of Wessex (now The Duchess of Edinburgh), Colonel-in-Chief of the Corps, bestowed the Royal Title to the Corps, renaming the Corps to The Royal Corps of Army Music (RCAM).
All regular Army bands are now part of The Royal Corps of Army Music. The Corps’ former headquarters, Kneller Hall, was opened by HRH Field Marshal the Duke of Cambridge in 1857, and had since been the home of Army music. In 1887, Her Majesty Queen Victoria retitled the establishment to the Royal Military School of Music (RMSM), where for over a century, Army musicians receive their training. In 2021, the Corps’ headquarters and RMSM were moved to Minley and Portsmouth respectively.
Externally known as British Army Music, RCAM’s musicians deliver musical support to the Army and the wider Defence community. Through music, our musicians sustain and develop the moral component of fighting power, support state ceremonial events, and achieve influence both domestically and on the international stage. Having just celebrated the 30th anniversary of the organisation’s establishment, British Army Music continues to deliver world-class performances to further Defence’s and national interests.