The NYBBGB Ambassador Band Tours Bradford to Celebrate City of Culture 2025

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.”