Concert Review: The NYBBGB Children’s Band Summer Concert 31st July 2026
Donald Trump brings out the very best of what the National Children’s Band is all about under the direction of Katrina Marzella-Wheeler.
Disruption: The Sounds of Change
Conductors: Katrina Marzella-Wheeler
Soloist: Angus Ritchie
Taunton Brewhouse, Taunton
Friday 31st July 2026
4BR Verdict: 4.5/5 stars
Although Donald Trump brazenly boasts of being the mastermind behind everything from peace deals in the Middle East to the rescinding of World Cup red cards, it seems he was the inspiration behind the success of this year’s National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain’s Children’s Band course.
The tango-tanned political cement mixer of destructive churn proved to be just that, thanks to an early conversation between NYBBGB CEO Mark Bromley and conductor Katrina Marzella-Wheeler about the musical themes that were to underpin their approach to Disruption: The Sounds of Change.
Thankfully though, theirs was a holistic ethos based on positive perspectives, fresh thinking and mature appreciations. It was the very antithesis of Trumpian egotistical posturing, narrow mindedness and bullying.
Clear fusion
Displayed through music making that expressed its uplifting explorations in full, it was led with a clear fusion of communication and encouragement by Katrina Marzella-Wheeler.
The MD asked demanding questions of her young players – ones answered with mature confidence from the opening brio of Frederick Schelderup’s Ultimo to the colourful complexities of the sashaying rhythmic pulse of Errollyn Wallen’s Gold Saturday to close.
It made for engaging listening, added to by 19-year-old Angus Ritchie, winner of the 2025 Harry Mortimer Award on the senior NYBBGB Course. His cultured renditions of Michelangelo by Sigvart Dagsland and Variations by Andrew Lloyd Webber were also displays of positive inspiration for the next generation accompanying him on stage.
Responses
Their own responses, both enthusiastic as well as excellent came on a confident Cortege from Rimsky-Korsakov’s Mlada set against the tender warmth and tonal balance of Amazing Grace. The witty humour of Alan Fernie’s Rain!’ was only unsuccessful in that it didn’t bring with it a much needed quick downpour on a scorching afternoon.
The Journal of Phileas Fogg, Peter Graham’s clever Victorian Eurostar break to Paris, Moscow, Vienna and Madrid, before heading back to the Reform Club in London for Sunday tea, was a post-Brexit treat (even the Russians were friendly), packed with character and colour, super little solo cameos and ensemble contributions.
Serious message
That was also a feature of a second half that opened with the atmospheric balance of brass and voice in Liz Lane’s The Awakening and the funky rhythms of Lucy Pankhurst’s March: IRL that hit a spot-on groove.
The serious message that underpinned Tim Minchin’s darkly joyful ‘song of resistance’ in Revolting Children from the musical Matilda was not lost on those who sang or listened, nor was the still beauty of Evelyn Glennie’s A Little Prayer.
Errollyn’s Wallen’s multi-cultural celebration of endeavour and excellence brought a fine concert to an appropriate medal winning climax.
Iwan Fox
4barsrest
with thanks to Dr Robert Childs
Full review available here: https://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con899.asp
