New Horizons for National Youth: Exchange Enters Second Year

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)