DATE FOR YOUR DIARY! The NYBBGB Children’s Band Summer Concert 2025 streams in full at 7.30pm on Friday 12th September 2025.

Watch the full concert for free on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/lx-HrzcjCWE

The Beauty Of Their Dreams: The NYBBGB Children’s Band under the direction of Guest Conductor Dr David Thornton.

This concert entitled “The Beauty Of Their Dreams” is a celebration of youthful ambition, creativity and community. With original compositions from three extraordinarily talented young composers and the world première of Andrea Price’s beautifully evocative title work, this performance truly embodies The NYBBGB’s vision: to give the UK’s most talented young brass and percussion players a platform to shine.

Under the expert guidance of Guest Conductor Dr David Thornton and featuring the remarkable Lewis Barton – a proud alumnus of The NYBBGB – this concert showcases not only musical excellence, but also the spirit, dedication and imagination that define our young people.

The NYBBGB thanks all those who support the organisation: our families, audiences, donors, partners, funders and especially British Army Music, whose ongoing collaboration enriches our work in so many ways.

Find out more & download the concert programme here.

Martyn Brabbins focuses a far and wide approach with a musical eye to an immediate future closer to home for the stars of tomorrow.

Celebration
Conductors: Martyn Brabbins
Soloist: Tim De Maeseneer
The Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, Royal College of Music
Saturday 9th August 2025

4BR Verdict: 4.5/5 stars

Although the musical vistas for this concert stretched far and wide, you suspect it also had a focus on a much closer horizon.

With the 2025 Proms in full flow a stone’s throw away at the Royal Albert Hall, Martyn Brabbins gave an eloquent poke in the ribs reminder to Radio 3 supremo Sam Jackson and his BBC apparatchiks of just what this particular ensemble could bring to the annual celebration of musical excellence.

A show of support came not only with a packed hall of family and friends, but also an impressive line-up of composers, some of whom having showcased their Proms talents in recent years, including Gavin Higgins, Sir Karl Jenkins, John Pickard, Martin Ellerby and Richard Blackford, whose new work ‘Orbital’ could well be the catalyst that pricks the future interest of the Proms fixers.

Serious inclinations

They in turn will have been heartened by the quality of the four new works by emerging writers that Brabbins generously included in a programme of serious musical inclinations. So too Herbert Howells (whose portrait adorned one of the walls), as the concert opened with the majestic intricacies of ‘Pageantry’. Arguably the most complete ‘test-piece’ work for the medium its substance was admirably broached by the ensemble and soloists.

The more intimate reflections of Edmund Rubbra’s ‘Variations on The Shining River’ proved more difficult to carry off given the 91 performers and the lively acoustic. Its romantic title is nothing but an illusion, the work itself a remarkable variation exposition based on a fragmentary line of a piano teaching piece. The variants though were finely judged, the complex solo lines in particular, played with artistic maturity.

Here and now

The link between past, present and future was carefully balanced by the MD throughout; Daniel Hall’s ‘Shapeshifter’, a very ‘here and now’ exploration of complex youthful experiences and emotions – bold and resilient on one hand, fragile and introspective on another as it weaved its path of emerging and evolving identity and acceptance. The underlying message as well as the music was splendidly understood by the performers.

So too the trio of cameo works provided by the NYBBGB Young Composer Competition winners, each different in structure and modulation, tempo and feel.

Will Everitt’s ‘Variations on an Enclosure’ was a compact academic exercise brought off with mature elan in its inventive explorations. The bucolic canvas of ‘Betws-y-Coed’ by Nina Martin brought a darkened beauty out of a tender landscape, whilst Samuel Thackray’s ‘Nocturnal Dances’ mixed mischief with mystery – like hearing an urban fox enjoying a rummage through the human detritus of the night.

Olympian presence

In between came the supreme talents of Belgian horn star Tim De Maesenner. His Olympian presence in Edward Gregson’s ‘Three Gods’ concerto brought Zeus, Hermes and Apollo to life – in turn capricious and omnipotent, fleet and waspish and finally triumphant and virtuous.

He really is up there with the tenor horn playing immortals, the rendition of ‘Dansul Focului’ an exotic display of fiery virtuosity.

Pertinant tribute

The very pertinant tribute to Elgar Howarth (a former President of the NYBBGB) came with ‘Baba Yaga’ and ‘The Great Gate of Kiev’ – part of his masterful arrangement of Mussorgsky’s ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ that he created in full for the Philip Jones Brass Ensmeble. (The encore was his tongue in cheek ‘Hogarth’s Hoe-down’).

Almost 50 years to the day since he led Grimethorpe and Black Dyke at a Proms that also showcased brass band playing old and new (Bliss and Ireland against Gerhard and Henze), Martyn Brabbins brought a timely reminder to the powers that be that they should consider finding a space for us over the road again in the near future.

Iwan Fox
4barsrest

Full review available here: https://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con879.asp

The NYBBGB is proud to announce Angus Ritchie (euphonium) as the winner of The 2025 Harry Mortimer Award, following a stunning performance of ‘Ziebekikos’ from Philip Wilby’s Euphonium Concerto and ‘Harlequin’ by Philip Sparke. Many congratulations to Angus!

The prestigious Harry Mortimer Award recognises individual musical excellence within the Band. Eight outstanding finalists were the section winners from the Katie Ogden Solo Competition, held during the Youth Band Easter Course at Pangbourne College in April. Each emerged as the top performer on their instrument in their sectional heats and advanced to compete for the coveted Harry Mortimer Award during our summer course at Oundle School.

Huge congratulations to our finalists: Stephanie Jonas (cornet), Darcie Dewhurst (cornet), Alice Clarke (tenor horn), Nicky Ogan-Palic (trombone), Alec Banner (percussion), Angus Ritchie (euphonium), Thomas Pyrah (tuba) and Carys Morgan (voice). Each delivered remarkable performances in The Great Hall at Oundle, showcasing the very best of youth brass talent in the UK.

We were honoured to welcome an esteemed panel of judges:

• Lieutenant Colonel Stewart Halliday – Commanding Officer, Bands of the Household Division
• Tracey Redfern – Principal Trumpet, Manchester Camerata, Northern Ballet and Northern Chamber Orchestras, and BBC Young Musician Brass Finalist
• Maestro Martyn Brabbins – International Conductor and champion of British music

And thanks also go out to Martyn Parkes who once again accompanied all of our finalists with exceptional artistry.

The Harry Mortimer Award not only includes a £250 prize but also the honour of performing as Guest Soloist with The NYBBGB Children’s Band next summer.

Thank you to our supporter Denis Wick Products, who generously sponsor both the Katie Ogden Solo Competition and the Harry Mortimer Award. Their dedication to craftsmanship and education continues to enrich the brass band community in the UK and worldwide.

Youthful talent showcases the best of the real American dream in Northampton.

The Beauty Of Their Dreams
Conductors: Dr David Thornton
Soloist: Lewis Barton
The Great Hall, Oundle School
Friday 1st August 2025

4BR Verdict: 4.5/5 stars

It was Eleanor Roosevelt who coined the phrase that the future belonged to those who believed in the beauty of their dreams.

However, the longest serving First Lady of the USA was not someone prone to fridge magnet aphorisms or self-help car bumper stickers. An imposing figure in times of war and peace, she was as pioneering as she was inspirational, her words backed by the substance of her actions.

Fully embraced

Her philosophy was fully embraced by the 56 young performers led by Dr David Thornton in providing a remarkably mature endorsement of the musical mission statement that now also drives the NYBBGB organisation as a whole.

The ambitious outlook weaved a rather unexpected and welcome pathway from start to finish – encapsulated by Andrea Price’s 10-minute work, inspired by the Roosevelt belief that dreams, both conscious and subconscious can inspire imagination and endeavour.

Bold and inventive, the trust it placed in the players to explore elements of self-doubt and self-expression as well as singular and communal endeavour was marked, the strands, vocal as well as instrumental culminating to an uplifting, joyful climax.

Additional layer

Equally impressive though was a sung version of ‘Mad World’  that followed (with an ensemble of tutors providing the simple accompaniment).  A song whose lyrics speak of the intensity of dreams (anyone who has seen the film ‘Donnie Darko’ will attest to) its inclusion brought an additional layer of understanding of the non-musical challenges now faced by the next generation of brass band performers.

Young composers whose own successful personal development has been marked came with Tamsin’s Crook’s ‘Clash of the Titans’,  a clever interplay of ensemble forces that evoked the mythical battles of Greeks Gods, and Amber Hooton’s ‘Sailor’s Hymn’  with its elegiac feel of dreams and aspirations yet to be fulfilled.

14-year-old Easher Austin will surely follow suit. His remarkably mature ‘Marche Triomphale’  infused with its own elements of Rimmer and Elgar character had a bold combination of brio and elegance.

Inspirational ambassador

Both elements were also displayed by the impressive guest soloist Lewis Barton, whose own musical dreams are being developed as a student at the RNCM in Manchester as well as with Leyland Band.

His performances were hallmarks of his talent – both lyrical and virtuosic in ‘Pater Noster’, ‘Under the Boardwalk’  (taking the flugel lead) and ‘Hejre Kati’.  He is the most admirable of inspirational ambassadors for the band and its vision.

Elsewhere the thematic thread was maintained with the tenderness of the opening ‘She Moved Through the Fair’  (with super lead lines), and the latter ‘Thula Baba’, as well as the verve of Goff Richards’ ‘Spirit of Youth’,  the Swiss chocolate box imagery of ‘The Old Chalet’  (with a few musical mountaineers perched on high), and Nordic mix of certainty and quirkiness with ‘Vitae Lux’  and ‘Gutte Og Mann’.   

‘A Malvern Suite’ was played with a mix of disciplined test-piece rigour and showcase musicality, whilst the encore of ‘Deep River’ rounded off a concert of ambition and aspiration with a vibrant joyfulness.

Iwan Fox
4barsrest

Full review available here: https://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con873.asp

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) is proud to announce its fourth annual Ambassador Ensemble Tour, taking place this summer in Bradford, in celebration of the city’s designation as UK City of Culture 2025.

Running from Monday 7th July to Friday 11th July 2025, the tour featured performances and educational workshops by The NYBBGB Ambassador Ensemble — a 15-member ensemble of the UK’s most talented young brass and percussion musicians. As the UK’s leading brass band charity for children and young people, The NYBBGB aims to inspire the next generation of musicians through performance, mentorship and interactive learning.This year’s tour was delivered in partnership with the Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust (BDAT) and Bradford Music & Arts Service, with a focus on reaching young students across the city. The NYBBGB Ambassador Ensemble performed in 12 primary schools within the BDAT network, engaging more than 4,000 children in the joy of music-making through dynamic concerts and instrument demonstrations.

The tour concluded with a special free public concert featuring a collaboration between the BDAT Brass Band and The NYBBGB Ambassador Ensemble on Friday 11th July at 3.45pm at St Luke’s Church, East Morton.

“This tour embodies our mission to make high-quality music accessible to all young people,” said Mark Bromley, CEO of The NYBBGB. “We are thrilled to bring our Ambassador Ensemble to Bradford in celebration of the city’s cultural achievements. Music has the power to connect, educate and inspire — and we were delighted to share that energy with thousands of children across the city.”

Carol Dewhurst OBE, CEO of BDAT, commented: “It was an honour to welcome The NYBBGB Ambassador Ensemble into our schools. This partnership offered our pupils a unique opportunity to experience live music, often for the first time, and to explore the possibilities of learning a brass or percussion instrument.”

Katie Savage, Headteacher of Baildon CE Primary School whose school participated in the Ambassador Ensemble tour said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to organise The NYBBGB’s Ambassador Ensemble tour of our BDAT primaries. Music is at the heart of school life here at Baildon CE Primary School and we were delighted to welcome the ensemble to our school – especially as one of their members started their brass playing journey here with Morgan Griffiths.”

Carl White, Head of Service of Bradford Music & Arts Service, added: “We believe that music is an essential part of a well-rounded education, and this initiative is a shining example of how collaboration can bring music into the lives of young people in meaningful and inspiring ways.”

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) Children’s Band will be featured on BBC Radio 3 this Sunday 29th June during the final episode of Brass Banding with Hannah Peel, airing from 8pm to 9pm and then available afterwards here.

The episode, titled “New Beginnings”, explores the future of brass banding and showcases the next generation of talent. As part of the programme, The NYBBGB Children’s Band will perform ‘New Beginnings’, a piece by Fredrick Schjelderup commissioned by The NYBBGB in 2021 to mark the Band’s 70th anniversary.

Originally premiered at Repton School in July 2021, New Beginnings is a vibrant, three-part work describing the emotional and musical energy of youth. With its rhythmic momentum, romantic brass lines, and an uplifting finale, the composition reflects the power of music to inspire and connect.

The performance featured on BBC Radio 3 is taken from The NYBBGB’s album ‘Celebration 70’, released in 2022.

Live Performance This Summer at Oundle School

Audiences can experience The NYBBGB Children’s Band live this summer at their annual Summer Concert:

🗓️ Friday 1st August 2025 at 2pm
📍 Oundle School, Oundle, PE8 4GH
🎟️ Tickets are available now here

Under the baton of Guest Conductor Dr David Thornton and featuring rising star Lewis Barton (cornet), this year’s concert is built around the inspirational theme “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”.

Concert highlights include:

🎵 World premières:
– ‘The Beauty of Their Dreams’ by Andrea Price
– ‘Marche Triomphale’ by Easher Austin – just 14 years old and the youngest ever entrant in The NYBBGB Young Composers’ Competition

🎼 Additional works:
– ‘Pater Noster’ by Rebecca Lundberg
– ‘Vitae Lux’ by Frode Alnæs, arranged by Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen, featuring soloist Lewis Barton

This is more than a concert — it’s a celebration of youth, talent, and the power of music to inspire dreams. Don’t miss this unforgettable event!

A shared ambition “to increase understanding and widen opportunity” continues to flourish as The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) and The National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland (NJBB) celebrate the second year of their international musical exchange Besson Horizons.

Supported by leading brass manufacturer Besson, the programme allows two young musicians from each country to participate in the other band’s summer course — deepening musical education and strengthening cultural ties across borders.

This July, Lewis Barton (cornet) and Alice Clarke (horn) from The NYBBGB will travel to Switzerland to join The NJBB A-Band for their 50th jubilee year under the direction of conductor Allan Withington. Then in August, Lauriane David (cornet) and Julie Pralong (cornet) from Switzerland will make the journey to the UK to join The NYBBGB summer course, led by guest conductor Martyn Brabbins.

Reflecting on the continued success of the initiative, Mark Bromley, CEO of The NYBBGB, said:

“We’re proud to see this international exchange enter its second year. It’s a testament to the shared values of our organisations — offering talented young musicians the opportunity to broaden their musical and cultural horizons. With the continued support of Besson, this is about nurturing a lifelong passion for music and building friendships that span borders.”

Monika Bandi-Tanner, President of The NJBB echoed this:

“It’s wonderful to see the Besson Horizons programme continue to grow. Our shared aim remains the same: to offer young musicians enriching, international experiences that inspire personal and musical growth. Through these exchanges, we learn from each other, celebrate our differences and connect through the universal language of music.”

Feedback from the inaugural year of the programme highlights the value of the experience. Sascha Gyger, a participant from Switzerland in 2024, reflected:

“It was an incredible experience to be a part of The NYBBGB summer course. The time spent with everyone in the UK was both musically enriching and socially rewarding. I feel that I have grown significantly as a musician, learning from the exceptional talent around me and making wonderful new friends along the way.”

This year’s participants are equally excited. Lewis Barton from The NYBBGB commented:

“I’m incredibly excited to be part of this year’s Besson Horizons exchange. It’s a fantastic opportunity to experience a new musical culture, meet like-minded young musicians, and challenge myself in a completely different environment.”

Founded in 1952 by Dr Denis Wright, The NYBBGB has long been a cornerstone in the development of young brass musicians. Their Swiss counterpart, The NJBB was formed in 1976 by Markus Bach and plays an equally vital role in cultivating young talent.

The Besson Horizons programme represents the first formal partnership between the two organisations and builds on the collaborative spirit seen through The European Youth Brass Band. Euan Meikle, Besson UK and Ireland Sales Manager concluded:

“We’re delighted to continue supporting this exciting international partnership. Programmes like Besson Horizonsempower young musicians to reach their full potential while deepening their understanding of other cultures. This is about building bridges through music — and ensuring a vibrant future for brass banding across Europe.”

More information about the Besson Horizons exchange can be found in the videos below:

• NYBBGB (in English)
• NJBB (in French)

  

  

  

  

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY! The NYBBGB Youth Band Easter Concert 2025 streams in full at 7.30pm on Friday 16th May 2025.

Watch the full concert for free on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/m5oXV2LNETc

The NYBBGB performs under the direction of guest conductor Colonel David Barringer MVO MBE with guest soloist Isobel Daws. The concert features works by Richard Strauss, Arthur Pryor, Gavin R Lamplough, Philip Wilby, Dan Price, Dorothy Gates, Christopher Bond and Bramwell Tovey. It also includes the World Première of LCpl Ashley Marston’s new march ‘Echoes of Youth’.

The theme of The NYBBGB Youth Band Easter Concert 2025 is ‘Standing on the Shoulders of Giants’. The Band honours the courage and sacrifice of those who secured our freedom in World War II. They 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 The NYBBGB’s 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. This performance embodies our shared commitment to musical excellence and remembrance.

The NYBBGB is extremely grateful to British Army Music for their generous support.

The NYBBGB Ambassador Band will once again be embarking on a schools outreach tour the week of 7th to 11th July in Bradford, this year’s UK City of Culture, when the Band will deliver music education concerts in local primary schools.

During their week long stay in Bradford, the Ambassador Band is expecting to play for over 3,000 school children across twelve primary schools. The hope is that the concerts will inspire the primary school children to go on and learn to play an instrument themselves and eventually go on to play in a band.

During the same week, on Wednesday 9th July, the Ambassador Band will participate in the West Yorkshire Youth Brass Band Kickstart Workshop. Players from across the five local authorities in the West Yorkshire Music Hub will come together in the hope of starting a new youth band for West Yorkshire.

At the end of the week, on Friday 11th July, The NYBBGB Ambassador Band and Bradford and District Arts Trust (BDAT) Brass Band will perform a joint concert with over 100 young people who play brass brass across the arts trust.

Outreach is an important part of The NYBBGB’s charitable mission. We hope the Ambassadors Band tour will allow us to help spread our ambition of giving young brass and percussion musicians the opportunity to develop their musicianship, play together and inspire others.

Full pews in Halifax as the brass band pilgrims enjoy the ambitious and intriguing outlooks of youth and experience.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
Conductors: Col David Barringer MVO MBE; Maj Brenden Wheeler; SSgt (BM) Greg Waters
Soloist: LCpl Emily Watson
Halifax Minster
Saturday 26th April

4BR Verdict: 4/5 stars

For the second time in as many weeks there was the welcome sight of a long queue of people waiting patiently to hear the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain in performance.

The added attraction on this occasion came with the British Army Brass Band, who made the most of their limited preparation time under Major Brenden Wheeler to provide a substantive first half of seriously purposed repertoire.

Fantastical subject matter

Their ambitious inclusion of Simon Dobson’s ‘Jesus in Tibet’  to open was interesting in many ways – not just because you suspected the rather fantastical subject matter wouldn’t have been touched on too often in Sunday School classes here.  With it also being performed twice at the forthcoming European Championships, the MDs interpretation of dramatic impulse and colourful excitement certainly whetted the appetite as well as the epistolic intrigue.

Their ambitious inclusion of Simon Dobson’s ‘Jesus in Tibet’  to open was interesting in many ways – not just because you suspected the rather fantastical subject matter wouldn’t have been touched on too often in Sunday School classes here.

Telling counterpoint

A more traditional evocation of faith came with Rebecca Lundberg’s touching ‘Pater Noster’  which featured the fine lyrical playing of principal cornet LCpl Emily Watson.  Kelly-Marie Murphy’s poetically inspired ‘Into the Darkness They Go, The Wise and The Lovely’  (led by SSgt (BM) Greg Waters) once again revealed its deeper character emotions in its homage portraiture of the late Branwell Tovey. It was a telling counterpoint to the rousing multi-national sounds (and images) of ‘Defend Every Inch’  – Chris Buchanan’s 75-year anniversary celebration of NATO as the finale.

Zesty brio

The second half saw the NYBBGB under Col Barringer reprise parts of their ‘Standing on the Shoulders of Giants’ Tidworth programme; the upbeat tempo and spirit of LCpl Ashley Marston’s ‘Echoes of Youth’  march once again played with zesty brio.

The contrasts between the three movements marked by ensemble tonality and solo line confidence with a central movement that drew the listener into its emotional core.

The acknowledgment of sacrifice and loss in ‘Lest We Forget’  was balanced by the joyful swing of ‘Opus One & Big Band Tribute’,  before Philip Wilby’s ‘Lowry Sketchbook’  provided the substantial climax; the contrasts between the three movements marked by ensemble tonality and solo line confidence with a central movement that drew the listener into its emotional core.

A fine concert embracing its challenging ambition and outlook came to a close with the principal players of the British Army Band joining the youthful ranks for Dan Price’s ‘Peacemakers’.

Iwan Fox
4barsrest

Full review available here: https://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con873.asp

You can find out more about this concert and watch a recording here.

Mature expressions of musicality and wider resilience underpin the ethos of the latest generation of National Youth Band performers in Tidworth.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
Conductor: Colonel David Barringer MVO MBE
Soloist: Isobel Daws
Compere: SSgt Bandmaster Greg Waters
Tidworth Garrison Theatre
Saturday 19th April

4BR Verdict: 4/5 stars

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain continues to nurture the holistic development of its young musicians with an ethos enhanced by its current partnership with The Royal Corps of Army Music.

It was displayed here in the emerging maturity of youthful musical talent (a third of the 90 players making their debuts), but so too with the clear expressions of leadership and resilience, communal endeavour and appreciation of the relevance of history that underpinned the concert theme.

Safe hands

The cyclical nature of age and experience meant the current band is somewhat in transition, but with the welcome sight of 13 basses, an exceptional percussion team and principal leads of confidence (led by Stephanie Jonas on cornet) the future, from players evidently proud of their involvement, firmly endorsed Colonel Barringer’s assertion that its future “was in safe hands”.

With the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War soon to be celebrated, the sacrifices made by generations past was marked with telling homage.

A ‘full fat’ version of an arrangement of ‘Festmusik der Stadt Wien’ was a welcome surprise to open, followed by the classiest of contributions from guest soloist Isobel Daws; her ‘Bluebells of Scotland’ played with a refined, elegant exhibitionism, ‘Love Eternal’ shaped with a subtle, tender beauty.

Bustle and pulse

The world premiere of Lance Corporal Ashley Marston’s Alfordesque ‘Echoes of Youth’ march was delivered with quirky elan, before the first half closed with Philip Wilby’s ‘Lowry Sketchbook’.

The incessant human bustle and industrial pulse of Salford’s streets was neatly evoked in the opening movement, followed by the Edwardian melancholy of family portraiture and the Bach ‘Partita’ virtuosity of the Peel Park bandstand.

Pathos and fun

In the second half, and with the forthcoming VE Day anniversary in mind, the music recalled the bravery, tragedy and triumph that ended in May 1945 and of those who returned (including the father of NYBBGB, CEO Mark Bromley) and those who didn’t.

Dan Price’s ‘Peacemakers’, ‘Lest We Forget’ and ‘Big Band Tribute’ were permeated with both a mature sense of pathos as well as fun – the ‘Big Band’ set in particular led with a ‘night to remember’ joy.

Huge substance

In between came solo playing of huge substance with ‘Servant of Peace’, as Isobel Daws drew a richly characterised portrait of the former UN General Secretary Dag Hammarskjold, a diplomatic with an artistic ethos of his own.

Bramwell Tovey’s uplifting ‘Coventry Variations’, dramatic and ultimately triumphant brought a fine, sold out concert at a super venue to a close. The standing ovation was thoroughly deserved.

Iwan Fox
4barsrest

(Image used with permission of Marc Gascoigne Photopgraphy)

Full review available here: https://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con873.asp

You can find out more about this concert and watch a recording here.

In our second biannual Young Composers’ Competition, The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain set out to find six new works for brass band (three winners and three runners-up) from talented young composers aged 30 or under. The NYBBGB is delighted to announce this year’s three winning compositions are Variations on an Enclosure by Will Everitt (20), Betws-y-Coed by Nina Martin (20) and Nocturnal Dances by Samuel Thackray (21).

The NYBBGB received works from twenty-nine aspiring composers from all over the world. Earlier this year, The NYBBGB’s panel of esteemed judges, Maestro Martyn Brabbins, composer Gavin Higgins and The NYBBGB’s Director of Artistic Planning Dr Robert Childs, shortlisted works from ten gifted young composers as their competition finalists.

Will Everitt’s winning composition Variations on an Enclosure is, as the name suggests, developed out of a single four-note cell. This cell was derived from Will’s explorations into the use of ‘enclosures’ in jazz melody and improvisation. Throughout the work, Will explores a wider palette of expression by balancing the lyricism that is so idiomatic to brass band writing with a more jazz-orientated harmonic language.

Watch a short video about Will’s winning composition here.

Nina Martin’s winning composition Betws-y-Coed is Nina’s first piece for brass band and was inspired by her first solo backpacking trip to Betws-y-Coed in Wales. Whilst exploring, she wrote musical ideas based on the bubbling of the river, the contour of the surrounding hills and the feeling of joy when immersed in the natural habitat. The theme of the work can be considered to represent both a tragic romance and a battle between the human race and the natural world.

Watch a short video about Nina’s winning composition here.

Samuel Thackray’s winning composition Noctural Dances started life as a collection of energetic yet slightly eerie dance-like ideas, representing a kaleidoscope of imagined scenes in a nocturnal cityscape. Will uses an unusual structure, with the most energetic writing gradually subsiding as the stillness of night slowly takes over.

Watch a short video about Samuel’s winning composition here.

Martyn Brabbins, Chair of The NYBBGB’s panel of judges and Summer 2025 Youth Band Guest Conductor said, “The young composers gave us real pleasure with their work – such a rich variety of styles, experience and intent. While the jury might have welcomed a few more radical approaches, there’s no doubt the future of brass band music is bright. Congratulations to all and bravo to the prize winners!”

The three competition winners will each receive a cash prize of £750 and a mentoring session with one of the competition judges. In addition, all three winning pieces will be performed on 9th August 2025 by The NYBBGB at their summer concert which takes place this year in the magnificent Amaryllis Fleming Hall of the Royal College of Music, London under the baton of Maestro Martyn Brabbins. Tickets for this concert are available now here.

The competition judging panel also recognises three compositions as runner-up winners in this year’s competition: Storms of Light by Camille Chiu (25), Echoes by Lennert Van Laenen (20) and Concert Prelude: Ikigai by Andy Wareham (30).

Finally, two young composer’s works are highly commended by the judges: High Street Life by George Swayne (18) and Marche Triomphale by Easher Austin (14). Each competition runner-up will receive a cash prize of £250 and the opportunity to receive feedback via a one-to-one coaching phone call with a member of the judging panel.

And as the youngest ever entrant of the Young Composers’ Competition, Easher’s work will also be performed by The NYBBGB Children’s Band on 1st August 2025 during the Band’s summer concert at Oundel School, Peterborough. Tickets for this concert are available now here.

The NYBBGB’s CEO Mark Bromley was delighted by the quality of compositions submitted to this year’s competition: “We were deeply impressed by the creativity and musical insight shown in all the entries to our Young Composers’ Competition. Warmest congratulations to Will, Nina and Samuel whose winning compositions demonstrated exceptional promise and individuality. Their work signals a bright and inspiring future for brass band music.”

You can find out more information about all ten competition finalists, including short videos of each finalist talking about their shortlisted composition here.