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Driving the ethos of The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, Iwan Fox talks to Mark Bromley

The success of the recent National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain’s summer course concert at the Royal College of Music brought further critical acclaim for an organisation that has undergone a radical overhaul of its aims and objectives since CEO Mark Bromley took the helm.

Considered delight

His delight is therefore obvious, but his responses to questions about the organisation’s rejuvenation remain considered and thoughtful.

“The extensive television coverage of the recent Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend included footage filmed in the monochrome world of post-war Britain,” he said when asked to reflect on the 70th anniversary event.

“Old ways of doing things, however jaded and narrow, were deeply ingrained then, yet they were offset by the optimism of the new Elizabethan age and its egalitarian spirit of growth and renewal.

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain was a product of that spirit, and I think should remain distilled by it today. That’s why I was so pleased by the response that the course, and especially the concert gained.”

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain was a product of that spirit, and I think should remain distilled by it today. That’s why I was so pleased by the response that the course, and especially the concert gained.

Nurture

He continued: “While the performance conducted by Martyn Brabbins was perhaps guaranteed to delight, it also stood as a symbol of what happens when young people from range of backgrounds are given opportunities – and permission – to make music together at the highest level.

And that is something we intend to nurture long after this anniversary year.”

The new ethos is about freshness and innovation in every aspect

Extensive CV

Mark Bromley speaks from an extensive CV of arts experience.

Chair of the Board of Directors of St Martin in the Fields Ltd, the 18th century church in the heart of London that has combined its traditional religious purpose with an innovative arts ethos, he also has links to Museum of Music History, the Edition Peters Group as well as the commercial world.

His passion for music making is therefore tempered by the realism of the needs of an arts sector that must remain relevant and progressive – as well as being commercially savvy.

“The 70th birthday concert marked the opening of a new chapter, as well as a major milestone in our rich history. It also signalled our determination to train the spotlight on some of this country’s brightest musical talents and to broaden its musical outlook.”

The 70th birthday concert marked the opening of a new chapter, as well as a major milestone in our rich history. It also signalled our determination to train the spotlight on some of this country’s brightest musical talents and to broaden its musical outlook

Heritage

He added: “We paid homage to our brass band heritage, but also looked outwards – giving a world premiere of a major new work and thanks to Martyn Brabbins, being able to connect with the wonderful Nardus Williams (below), a true rising star of Britain’s opera and concert scene for a performance Canteloube’s ‘Songs of the Auvergne’,  which was simply beautiful.”

That he believes is a continuation of the outward looking ambition that in recent years under Bramwell Tovey’s leadership saw them give the world premiere of James MacMillan’s oratorio ‘All the Hills and Vales Along’,  performed alongside the London Symphony Chorus and members of the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican Centre.

A broader outlook has come with the link to performers from other genres

Ecosystem

He continued with the theme. “The NYBBGB plays a key role in preserving the UK’s vibrant banding ecosystem.

Community brass bands suffered from the decline of heavy industry during the 1980s and 1990s, and although many have continued to prosper, opportunities for young players through cuts in musical education and peripatetic services have been acutely felt.”

That’s where the NYBBGB fits into things – helping maintain and promote a vibrant future for these invaluable musical assets

He adds: “That’s where the NYBBGB fits into things – helping maintain and promote a vibrant future for these invaluable musical assets; ones which are such an important element of British civic society – genuine community groups that bring joy to their audiences and life-affirming opportunities for people to make music together.

Our residential courses provide inspirational coaching and performing experiences to young players who take that energy back to their bands around the country.”

All together and full of cooperation…

Cooperation

The NYBBGB sits at the top of a pyramid (complimented by the National Youth Brass Bands of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) of county youth brass bands and those from the voluntary sector, local music services and schools – and it is a link that Mark Bromley believes must be strengthened by cooperation.

“We depend on that structure to provide new members; if one or more of the parts become weak, it will inevitably affect our recruitment.”

The next generation of stars…

Outlook

It is also an outlook which he hopes can help community bands too.

“In this age of sustained pressure on state school music teaching, brass bands offer an alternative route into music-making for children whose parents cannot afford to pay for private tuition.

That’s why the NYBBGB is exploring ways to help children learn a brass instrument. We’ve already despatched small ensembles from our Youth Band to schools to inspire the next generation of players

Most bands lend instruments and provide lessons to new recruits without charge. But they have seen a decline in the number of young people coming forward over the past decade, thanks not least to the loss of 1,000 music teachers during that time and the suspension of around a third of face-to-face instrumental tuition since the pandemic began.

That’s why the NYBBGB is exploring ways to help children learn a brass instrument. We’ve already despatched small ensembles from our Youth Band to schools to inspire the next generation of players.”

Building Blocks

He continued: “We’re also launching our Brass Building Blocks scheme, in collaboration with the Band of the Royal Marines, which is aimed at improving young players’ existing skills and raising their technical standards and are looking to roll out a series of brass masterclasses for secondary school pupils.”

And the generation in waiting in the Children’s Band…

Broaden access

Beyond banging the drum for all brass bands, Mark Bromley is determined to broaden access to the organisation’s ensembles.

“The Children’s Band, open to players aged eight to 13, fielded an equal number of girls and boys for our summer course last month, while the Youth Band, comprising brass and percussion players aged 14 to 19 of at least Grade 8 level or equivalent, was close to achieving parity.”

Challenges

Challenges remain however, as he is keen to point out.

“Last year we commissioned the eminent educator Roy Terry to survey the socio-economic and demographic backgrounds of our members, which showed that while we’re doing well on equality and have made real progress on social inclusion, we have work to do to widen the ethnic diversity of our membership.

We also want to reach those parts of the country, from Cumbria to Suffolk, Herefordshire to Tyne and Wear, that have traditionally stood outside our main centres of recruitment in the Northwest, London and the East Midlands.”

A former player made great… Peter Moore

Inspiration

Inspiration though is not hard to find in the brass band world – with the NYBBGB having an enviable list of alumni – from the legendary Maurice Murphy to Isobel Daws, who recently gained a position in the Karajan Academy with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

“We have such a wonderful list,” Mark said.

All though still have a lifelong love of brass band music making and of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. And that is the greatest form of success we can ever hope for

“This week for instance Peter Moore, a former trombonist with the Childrens’ and Youth Bands will perform a Concerto at the Proms – so what better advert is there for what can be achieved.

However, we are equally delighted to find out that former players have gone onto become successes in a huge variety of different adult careers – from music teachers to scientists.

All though still have a lifelong love of brass band music making and of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. And that is the greatest form of success we can ever hope for.

That really is something to celebrate.”

Iwan Fox

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain seeks new composing talent

“A supply of good new music is critical to any ensemble so supporting contemporary composers, particularly young composers, is very important to us. We are looking for a piece that is innovative, reflects our commitment to inclusivity, and has broad brass band appeal.” Mark Bromley, CEO of The NYBBGB

Director of Artistic Planning Dr Robert Childs added “This initiative is very exciting and I’m sure there will be lots of wonderful entries. My advice to composers is simple – work to the time limit and carefully read the guidance on our website. Good luck to all the entrants”.

Six works will be selected from the entities by Dr. Robert Childs, Director of Artistic Planning to go into the final round in January 2023. Joining Dr. Childs on the judging panel will be Maestro Sarah Ioannides, the Youth Band’s Guest Conductor for summer 2023, and composer Dorothy Gates.

The winner of the competition will receive a £1,000 prize for their work, with the piece being performed by The NYBBGB under the baton of Sarah Ionnades next summer, together with an offer from Prima Vista Musikk to also publish the work. The runner up will receive £250.

Criteria for entry is outlined in the rules on our website, but it’s essential that participants are aged 30 or under on 1st January 2023, that the five-minute piece reflects our commitment to inclusivity, has mass brass band appeal and is technically complex enough for the Youth Band (comprising the finest young brass and percussion players in the country) to
perform.

More information and how to enter the competition can be found on the home page of our website.

The NYBBGB Weston Conductors’ Competition Finalists’ Announcement

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, the UK’s leading brass bands for children and young people which next year celebrates its 70th anniversary, is excited to announce the finalists who will take part in the Band’s inaugural conductors’ competition. The competition, supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation and created to provide an opportunity for up-and-coming musicians to make an impact on today’s youth music scene has seen 28 fantastic entrants from international and diverse backgrounds. After careful consideration we are excited to announce the six finalists.

“The prospect of encountering a new generation of conductors is always exciting.  The NYBBGB Weston conducting competition has attracted a plethora of conducting talent, and I look forward to engaging with the six finalists in January. My aim is to create a collaborative and creative atmosphere in order that all involved have a positive musical experience.”

Martyn Brabbins, Competition Judge and 2022 Guest Conductor.

Anna Beresford

Anna Beresford is 24 years old and from the United Kingdom. She currently studies orchestral and choral conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music. Whilst at Manchester University Anna was choral and orchestral ensemble conductor in the University Music Society and winner of the Proctor-Gregg Prize for Conducting. She is Director of the Macclesfield Mydel Choir and of the Smithy Belles Choir in Hazel Grove, Stockport. Anna is also a freelance conductor for the Northern Film Orchestra, Abney Orchestra, Opera Viva, and more. As part of her course she regularly assists conductors at the BBC Philharmonic and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic orchestra.

Chris Binns

Chris Binns is 27 years old and from the United Kingdom. He studied trombone at the Royal Northern College of Music and regularly guests with the BBC Philharmonic, Halle Orchestra and Opera North. Chris also completed trials with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Welsh National Opera. He is Principal Trombone with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Studying conducting in his fourth year at the Royal Northern College of Music, Chris has had the opportunity to conduct Flowers Band and Grimethorpe Colliery Band and is currently Musical Director of Hebden Bridge Band.

Leon Frantzen

Leon Frantzen is 23 years old and from the Netherlands. He currently studies conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music. Leon held the role of assistant conductor of the Youth Orchestra of The Netherlands, toured with the Maastricht Academic Chamber Orchestra and conducted in the final concert of the international conducting masterclass with the Banda Sinfonica Portuguesa. He has also been chief conductor of the Koninklijke Fanfare St. Dionysius Opoeteren and the Harmonie St. Antonius Lomm.

Derrick Morgan

Derrick Morgan is 27 years old and from the United Kingdom. A recent graduate of the Masters in Conducting programme at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, he was recipient of the Hugh S Robertson prize for Orchestral Conducting. Derrick has conducted the Edinburgh Symphony Orchestra, toured the Marriage of Figaro with Blackbird Opera and given the fringe premiere of Tom Cunningham’s two mini operas with Edinburgh Studio Opera. He has conducted charity concerts with Ensemble Alba and organised a performance of Mendelssohn’s Second Symphony with the Edinburgh Practice Choir.

Enyi Okpara 

Enyi Okpara is 22 years old and British-Nigerian. A law graduate he currently studies conducting with Sian Edwards. Enyi has conducted the Bristol University Symphonia and the Bristol University Chamber Orchestra on their tour of Hungary. Founder of the North London Orchestra, he has also conducted Southsea Chamber Music Society’s resident orchestra. In 2021, Enyi was awarded a Young Conducting Scholarship with Sing for Pleasure, conducting workshops and masterclasses in London, Cambridge, and Manchester.

Lewis Wilkinson

Lewis Wilkinson is 26 years old and from the United Kingdom. He studied Brass Band conducting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and whilst studying was resident conductor of Filton Concert Brass, with which he won the Welsh Open, and music director of the Parc and Dare Band. Lewis gained a place in the semi-final of the 2020 European Conductor’s Competition in Palanga, Lithuania which unfortunately was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is a busy guest conductor with bands at all levels, such as Elland Silver, Easington Colliery, Llwydcoed, NASUWT Riverside and Solna (Sweden). Lewis is currently Director of Music for Fishburn Band.

Culmination and final

The penultimate stage will see the six selected conductors work with a band made up of members of the NYBBGB, being assessed by Martyn Brabbins, Dr Robert Childs and Captain Sam Hairsine RM.  The repertoire will consist of three marches: Mephistopheles, Shipley Douglas; Knight Templar, ‍George Allan and The Cossack, ‍William Rimmer.  For the final stage of the competition, the judges will select three finalists to rehearse one of the following three concert works: Resurgam, Eric Ball; Music for a Festival, ‍Phillip Sparke and Shine as the Light, ‍Peter Graham.

Mark Bromley, CEO commented

“The response to our call for entries went beyond our expectations. I would like to thank everyone who made the effort to submit an entry. Whatever the outcome, the passion of each of our six finalists for brass banding is clear and that alone fills me with hope for the next generation of music leaders. If you are free please do come and support our finalists in January. It’s going to be so inspiring.”

A big thank you

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain would like to thank the Garfield Weston Foundation for their support and everyone who has taken part in the competition, and offer our congratulations to those who have been selected to take part in the final rounds.

Dr Robert Childs, Competition Judge and Director of Artistic Planning commented


“The entrants’ video submissions were really good, I enjoyed watching them all. I was looking for good beat fluidity, musical phrasing and hand independence.

The six going through to the finals also demonstrated a solid understanding of the peculiarities of the brass band score, a good knowledge of the brass band movement and excitement at the prospect of working with the NYBBGB and Martyn Brabbins.”

Search for The NYBBGB (funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Education) on FacebookTwitterLinkedin and Instagramor visit www.nybbgb.org.uk to keep up-to-date.

Auditions open for 2022

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain are delighted to announce that live audition dates are returning this autumn for those who would like the opportunity to join one of the bands for 2022.

The NYBBGB Children’s Band auditions are for young players of brass band instruments (including percussion ) aged from 8 – 13 of approximately grade 5 standard or higher. The Youth Band caters for older students, 12 years or above at audition, and the standard is approximately grade 8. Please note you do not need to have passed the grade exams to audition.

We are particularly keen to hear from bass trombone and bass players.

The venues and dates are:

Sunday 25th September – St Dennis, Cornwall
Saturday 9th October – Ratby, Leicestershire
Sunday 10th October – Amersham, Buckinghamshire
Saturday 16th October – Birmingham, West Midlands
Sunday 17th October – Hade Edge, Yorkshire
Saturday 23rd October – Salford, Greater Manchester
Sunday 24th October – Peterlee, County Durham

For more details see our Whats On page.

Each session will conclude with a workshop run by one of the NYBBGB tutors.

Last year all the NYBBGB auditions were held online and this remains an option for those for whom the dates and venues do not suit.

To apply for an audition please apply using our audition form.

Search for The NYBBGB (funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Education and partnered with the Royal Marines Band Service) on FacebookTwitterLinkedin and Instagram or visit www.nybbgb.org.uk to keep up-to-date.

NYBBGB Bursary Run

As the National Youth Brass Bands of Great Britain meet for their summer courses three members of the team are working extra hard.  Brett Baker (trustee), Mark Bromley (Chief Executive Officer) and Richard Milton (Operations Manager) having been collectively running 270 km to raise funds for bursaries.

Brett Baker said

“The NYBBGB Bursary Fund is a cause close to my heart as I was a member of the band myself and it was such an important part of my life as a teenager. It is really important that we provide bursaries for talented young musicians to attend our courses. I was inspired to set myself a running challenge and the 270km is the distance from our summer course this year in Repton to our 2022 summer course in Taunton.”

The team have now raised over £1,600 and will complete their run on the last day of the summer courses – August 7th, which is the date of the Youth Band concert.  If you would like to support them by making a donation, you can visit their fundraising page here – https://www.justgiving.com/team/NYBB-Bursary

Funding Development Manager Louise Shaw said

“We are so pleased with Brett, Mark and Richard supporting the organisation in this way.  The NYBBGB is a charity and we have big ambitions.  We need funding to provide bursaries every year.  We also want to develop our work and support more young brass and percussion musicians become the soloists, teachers, conductors and music leaders of the future.”

Do check out their progress, as Chief Executive Officer, Mark Bromley stated

“It’s been good fun doing this challenge and I have even got a little bit fitter.  I have to admit though that we have all been a little competitive, both in terms of the distance run and the amount raised.”

For more information about making a donation to, or fundraising for, the NYBBGB please do contact Louise Shaw on [email protected] / 01223 737831.

Fresh Summer Air at the Youth Band and Children’s Band

With the heat and excitement of summer looming, The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, the UK’s leading brass bands for children and young people which next year celebrates its 70th anniversary, is looking forward to its 2021 summer season.

The 2021 summer courses for both the Children’s Band and the Youth Band will be the first residential experiences since before the start of the pandemic. Following current COVID guidance the courses will be very similar to previous years (although unfortunately without an OpenDay or Auditions) however there will be one unique change: the end of course concerts will be in the open air.

Royal connections

In residence in Repton, ancient capital of Mercia and the seat of Kings, the Children’s Band and Youth Band courses will contain all the aspects of traditional courses, with exciting repertoire, industry-leading tuition and unique musical opportunities. One of the opportunities available will be the annual Harry Mortimer Solo Competition, and this year’s event will see NYBBGB alumnus Captain Sam Hairsine RM on the adjudication panel. The winner of the competition this year will get the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the Royal Marines Band Service in concert.

“I am so excited to be an adjudicator of the prestigious Harry Mortimer Solo Competition! It will be lovely to be on the ‘other side’ after competing as a member, whilst bolstering the ever developing relationship that the NYBBGB has with the Royal Marines Band Service.”

said Capt. Sam Hairsine RM.

Summer Concerts tickets

As part of the Youth Band and Children’s Band courses there will be exciting outdoor concerts on 30 July and 7 August where the children and young people will perform. You can sign up for a free ticket, bring your picnic blanket, favourite food and drink, to listen to the wonderful music in complete COVID security.

Mark Bromley, NYBBGB CEO said “Following the very successful live days we recently held we are doing all we can to offer our members a safe residential experience. The outdoor picnic concerts led by Phil Harper and Nick Childs will be a bit different from normal but I’m sure both the players and the audience will love them.”

To sign up and reserve a place at the concerts please visit the What’s On pageof our website. Tickets will be free of charge but we will be asking for donations towards our 2022 Bursary Fund which has recently launched on Just Giving.

Watch our Spring Digital Concert and donate

The excitement of our Spring Digital Concert can still be accessed online and streamed here. If you enjoyed this free performance then please consider making a donation, in lieu of a ticket here.

‍Search for the NYBBGB (funded by Arts Council England, the Department for Education and partnered with the Royal Marines Band Service) on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram or visit www.nybbgb.org.uk to keep up-to-date.

NYBBGB together again for first time since 2019, with a trio of live days

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, the UK’s leading brass bands for children and young people which next year celebrates its 70th anniversary, has just completed its first live events since 2019.

The announcement also marks the launch of the Band’s £10,000 2022 bursary fund appeal.

Eighty young musicians

Eighty young musicians came together in three separate musical ensembles at Stoller Hall in Manchester, Malvern College in Worcestershire, and St Martin-in-the-Fields in the heart of London, under the direction of guest conductor Ian Porthouse, Musical Director of Tredegar Band, who is also Director of Brass Band Studies at Birmingham Conservatoire.

The performances, together with material from the virtual Easter course, will now be stitched together in preparation for a forthcoming gala concert, to be streamed on June 18. The streamed gala concert which will feature Gareth Wood’s Brass Triumphant and a number of exciting original works for brass band as well as some classic repertoire will be free-of-charge, instead the Band is asking for donations to their bursary fund appeal.

The appeal is to raise money for bursaries to help talented children and young people, who might not otherwise be able to do so on the grounds of cost, attend NYBBGB Children’s and Youth Band courses.

 

Magnificent sounds

Owen, percussionist said:

“After such a long time away from playing with ensembles, it was a brilliant experience getting back together with the band. The day was my favourite day of the year so far and I cannot wait for the course in the summer.”

Mark Bromley, CEO of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB), added:

“Not only were the live days a huge success musically they were also a tremendous boost for wellbeing – you could see that clearly in the faces of the players and the staff. The playing was magnificent; it never fails to amaze me how quickly these young people can just nail a piece and then perform it beautifully. To see and hear them perform, tune in to our gala concert which will be streamed on 18th June at 7pm. We are determined no one should miss out on a place in the band because of financial hardship. That’s why, starting now, we want to raise £10,000 towards our 2022 bursary fund, our 70th anniversary year. We are not charging for our concert on June 18th but we would love it if you could make a donation to our bursary fund.”

How you can watch and donate

The online gala concert will be streamed on Facebook and YouTube here. If you enjoyed our free performance then please consider making a donation, in lieu of a ticket here.

Search for the NYBBGB (funded by Arts Council England, the Department for Education and with support from Yamaha) on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram or visit www.nybbgb.org.uk to keep up-to-date. NYBBGB’s Easter course 2021 was sponsored by Yamaha.

A huge thank you from all of us at the NYBBGB

Thank you, thank you, thank you! We are delighted to announce that we raised a total of £4,000 in our 2021 Bursary Fund appeal. This was our first ever appeal of its kind. We’d like to thank all our donors, whether you donated on our Just Giving page, are a regular donor or contacted us directly.

We are even more delighted that, thanks to you, we have just been able to give out 8 bursaries to children and young people joining our Children’s Band and Youth Band courses this summer. We have also been very pleased to give out six Leadership Awards. These will support some of our young people develop into the young music leaders of the future.

We really couldn’t have done it without you. Whilst the donations were fabulous, we were also heartened by all the messages of support sent in or written on our Just Giving page, and all the social media likes and shares. It just proves what we already knew – that The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain is a really special organisation!

We are really looking forward to meeting all our young members this summer, and to making real live brass band music.

Unveiling of our Summer concert series

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain the UK’s leading brass bands for children and young people, has announced the concert programmes for its two forthcoming live back-to-back courses and concerts.

The Youth Band concert will be held on 7 August at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire a week after the Children’s Band concert which will be held on 30 July at Repton School. This will be the first time that both bands have run physical residential courses and live concerts since 2019.

The Children’s Band course and concert will be led by Professor Nicholas Childs, Musical Director of Black Dyke, with Philip Harper, Musical Director of Cory Band, leading the Youth Band course and concert.

Leading lights

Guest soloist for the Children’s Band will be euphonium virtuoso Gary Curtin whilst guest soloist for the Youth Band will be international trombone soloist, Ian Bousfield. Gary Curtin is solo euphonium of Fodens Band, one of the world’s leading brass bands, whilst Ian Bousfield, is a former member of the London Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic and an alumnus of the NYBBGB.

Repertoire for the concerts can be found in the Whats On section of the Band’s website nybbgb.org.uk

Mark Bromley, NYBBGB CEO, said:

“We can’t wait for the residential courses and concerts, with a live audience. They will be our first in two years.

The Summer series features a new commission from Fredrick Schjelderup, Clara Price narrating her own poem ‘Where She Sings Freely’ set to music by Lucy Pankhurst, world class conductors and soloists. It’s going to be awesome.”

Tickets for both concerts are expected to go sale in late June. Please check our Whats On page and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire box office for details.

View the concert programmes here:

The Children’s Band Summer Concert

The Youth Band Summer Concert

The NYBBGB Weston Conductors’ Competition is now open for entries

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, the UK’s leading brass bands for children and young people which next year celebrates its 70th anniversary, has just announced their first ever Conductors’ Competition is now open for entries. This, the Band’s inaugural conductors’ competition, supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation, is a major step in creating opportunities for up-and-coming musicians to make an impact on today’s youth music scene.

The competition offers a range of prizes for the winner, including conducting a work in the Band’s 70th Anniversary Celebration Concert and being tutored by Martyn Brabbins.

“The National Youth Brass Band traditionally nurtures young brass and percussion players, preparing them for further education, teaching and music making in the community. Many go on to become professional musicians in top orchestras. However, many diversify and develop into conductors. This new competition will give the winner the opportunity to work with maestro Martyn Brabbins for a full week. His expertise and experience will help nurture their talent and hopefully feed back into the brass band movement benefiting many others along the way.”

Dr. Robert Childs, NYBBGB Director of Artistic Planningand Competition Judge.

Competition Process

The competition will consist of an application stage followed by two further rounds. In order to enter the competition, participants must be aged between 20 and 30 years old on 1st January 2022. Entries will be accepted for the competition by October 1st 2021. To enter, complete a short biography, upload a video submission and provide your contact information to qualify.

Successful entrants will go through an online interview stage before being notified of their acceptance. Finally, from the interview stage six conductors will be selected and will get to work with a band made up of members of the NYBBGB, being assessed by Martyn Brabbins, Dr Robert Childs and Captain Sam Hairsine RM. For the final stage of the competition, three finalists will have their skills judged by these same panelists.

“Discovering new conducting talent, and then nurturing that talent is something I am passionately committed to. First though, one has to give the aspiring conductor a chance to show what he or she has to offer. This new competition will do just that, and by a process of selection and with careful guidance, new talent will be given the chance to flourish.”

Martyn Brabbins, NYBBGB Youth Band Guest Conductor Summer 2022 and Competition Judge.

For more detailed information regarding the competition process, please refer to the NYBBGB Weston Conductors Competition page on the NYBBGB website: https://www.nybbgb.org.uk/cc2022

The Weston Prize for Conducting

The winner of the Weston Prize for Conducting will join maestro Martyn Brabbins and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain for their Summer Course at Taunton School between 30th July and 6th.

The opportunity includes working as Associate Conductor and rehearsing side-by-side with the Band’s music staff and young people. The winner not only will conduct a work at the NYBBGB’s 70th Anniversary concert on 6th August in London, but also receive £500 to explore their talents alongside and be mentored by Martyn Brabbins.

Entry process

To enter or to find out more please refer to the NYBBGB Weston Conductors’ Competition page on the NYBBGB website: https://www.nybbgb.org.uk/cc2022.

Search for The NYBBGB (funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Education and partnered with the Royal Marines Band Service) on FacebookTwitterLinkedin and Instagram or visit www.nybbgb.org.uk to keep up-to-date.

National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain completes Easter course

The 80-strong National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB), which next year celebrates its 70th anniversary, has just completed the virtual component of its annual Easter course, run online by its new management team, with Operations Manager Richard Milton, Director of Artistic Planning Dr Robert Childs and CEO Mark Bromley at the helm.

Guest Conductor Ian Porthouse put the young people through a challenging programme of works including Peter Graham’s ‘Triumph of Time’ and Gareth Wood’s ‘Brass Triumphant’. Meanwhile, Guest Cornet Soloist Tom Hutchinson, principal cornet player of Cory Band, ran a masterclass.

Inspiring Highlights

Highlights of the three-day course included workshops with Ian Porthouse, alumnus Captain Samuel Hairsine RN and members of the Royal Marine Bands Service, composer Gavin Higgins (talking about his ballet suite, ‘Dark Arteries’) and Dr Clarence Adoo (trumpeter), who gave an inspiring and thought provoking presentation on his life, to more than 100 delegates. The band’s open day attracted more than 80 visitors, making it the most successful open day since they were first launched.

Helen Williams, flugel tutor, who plays flugel with Cory Band, said: “It was refreshing and extremely heartening to see such a great response to the Easter Course of the NYBBGB. The course combined practical sessions rehearsing repertoire in sectionals and full band with presentations from the Royal Marines and Gavin Higgins. Inspirational seems too weak a description of the session given by Clarence Adoo.

“I was particularly impressed with the last full day of the course on which all members of the band were offered one to one online tuition. I was treated to some fantastic playing from students in the flugel and cornet sections who were preparing for the Katie Ogden Solo Competition. Every timetabled student arrived on time and made the best use of their allocated time. Fabulous!”

Luke Barker, cornet commented:

“The Easter virtual course was a triumph. We were once again treated to amazing masterclasses and workshops, tuition from world class players, and brilliant leadership from Ian Porthouse. It is an incredible opportunity and one of the gems of the banding world, which no one should hesitate becoming a part of.  I can’t wait for the summer course!”

Bethan Spragg, cornet, added:

“What an action packed few days! From virtual sectionals and full band rehearsals to workshops and talks by the Royal Marines, Clarence Adoo and Gavin Higgins, we covered so much in such a short space of time! I feel as if I’ve learnt so much from all our incredible tutors and been inspired by the guest speakers. I thoroughly enjoyed the masterclass and concert by Tom Hutchinson, who gave some great tips on how to progress. I can’t wait for the live regional days to take place in June, what a difference it will be to hear people play rather than watch everyone’s muted box on zoom!”

Expert leadership

Coaching staff were James Fountain (cornet), Mark Wilkinson (cornet), Helen Williams (flugel), Owen Farr (horn), Chris Jeans (trombone), Glyn Williams (baritones and euphonium), Les Neish (utba), Andrea Price (percussion) and John Maines (librarian). The house staff were ably led by Lorraine Childs and Danny Stenhouse.

To complete the course, the band will reconvene on between 2 and 4 June split into three smaller ensembles playing at Chetham’s School of Music (Manchester), Malvern College (Worcestershire) and St Martin-in-the-Fields (London).

There will be an online gala concert on 18 June featuring excerpts from the digital course and a performance of Gareth Wood’s Brass Triumphant.

The NYBBGB Easter course 2021 is sponsored by Yamaha.

Search for the NYBBGB (funded by Arts Council England, the Department for Education and with support from Yamaha) on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram or visit www.nybbgb.org.uk to keep up-to-date.

2020 Annual Review

We’re delighted to share our 2020 Annual Review with you.

I’m sure 2020 seems quite distant, and hope you are able to feel positive about the future as the country recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic. We have exciting plans, as always! Our Easter course is blended this year, with a few days of online learning which took place last week, and some face-to-face small group meet ups in early June. The concert (comprising work from each part) will be held online on the 18th June at 7pm – I hope you’ll be able to join us.

We will shortly launch a Bursary Scheme to help support talented young persons who might otherwise be excluded from the NYBBGB experience due to cost. Initially this will provide a number of means tested bursaries for the summer residential courses. We hope you can share it on your social media, and would love to hear from you if you know of any sources of funding we could tap into to support these bursaries.

Please do feel free to contact our funding development manager about anything on 01223 737831 or by email at [email protected]