NYBBGB Young Conductor 2026 Announced
We are delighted to announce that Tommy Tynan (28) has been crowned NYBBGB Young Conductor 2026 following The NYBBGB Young Conductors’ Competition Live Final, held on Saturday 17th January 2026 at Tidworth Garrison Theatre. Tommy, 28-year old solo Eb tuba player with Black Dyke Band confidently directed a 35-minute rehearsal of a combined ensemble of NYBBGB and British Army Band players on Peter Graham’s ‘Shine as the Light’ to claim the honour.
In our third biannual Young Conductors’ Competition — proudly supported by British Army Music — we set out to discover and develop the most outstanding emerging brass band conductors aged 20 to 30. This year’s competition attracted 19 exceptional entrants from both brass band and non-brass band backgrounds across the UK and beyond, reflecting the growing reach, ambition and prestige of the competition.
Ammal Bhatia (26), Megan Bousfield (25), Tommy Tynan (28) and Joey Wong (22) went head-to-head at The NYBBGB Young Conductors’ Competition Live Final on Saturday 17th January 2026 at Tidworth Garrison Theatre, Wiltshire. The competition final took place in front of a live audience, offering them the chance to witness live the artistry, energy and leadership of some of the UK’s most exciting emerging conductors.
At the final, each conductor took to the podium to rehearse one of four iconic brass band works with a joint ensemble of players from The NYBBGB and British Army Music. The judging on the day was conducted by Major Craig Bywater (Chief Instructor at the Royal Military School of Music) and Dr Robert Childs (The NYBBGB’s Director of Artistic Planning and leading brass band conductor and educator).
Tommy Tynan was crowned NYBBGB Young Conductor 2026, emerging victorious from an exciting and closely fought competition that showcased some of the UK’s most impressive young conducting talent.
Judge Dr Robert Childs praised Tommy’s performance, saying: “It was impressive conducting — a nice mix of creating excellence through endeavour and enthusiasm from the players.”
Tommy competed alongside our three other outstanding finalists — Ammal Bhatia, Megan Bousfield and Joey Wong — who all delivered performances of the highest quality throughout the final.
Judge Major Craig Bywater praised the quartet, commenting: “Each showed passion, flair and technique in fully engaging with the musicians. All were very impressive and offered so much in how they expressed themselves through the music.”
As winner of this prestigious national competition, Tommy receives a £750 cash prize and free membership of the Brass Band Conductors’ Association, and will now take on the role of Assistant Guest Conductor to Lt Col Lauren Petritz-Watts during The NYBBGB Summer Course. He will also conduct at the Band’s Summer Concert at The Forum, Bath on 8th August.
The NYBBGB extends its warmest congratulations to Tommy, and to Ammal, Megan and Joey for their significant achievements in this highly competitive, biannual event.
Our sincere thanks also go to British Army Music for their generous support — from providing an excellent venue and musicians on stage, to their invaluable behind-the-scenes support — and to the 25 members of The NYBBGB Youth Band who gave up their time and played so brilliantly throughout the competition.
We would like to thank everyone who entered this year’s competition. Huge congratulations to our competition winner Tommy Tynan and our three outstanding runners-up Ammal Bhatia, Megan Bousfield and Joey Wong! You can find out more about all four aspiring young conductors below.
You can read more about Tommy Tynan winning The NYBBGB Young Conductors’ Competition 2026 here.
