News

Congratulations to The 2025 Harry Mortimer Award Winner – Angus Ritchie

Written by The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain on August 4, 2025

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.