The 80-strong National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) is to host a free open day in Harrogate later this month (31 March.) The open day enables talented youngsters from across the UK to experience the NYBBGB for a day. Open to young brass and percussion players between the ages of eight and 18, music teachers are also welcome.
Designed to inspire the next generation of young musicians, the youngsters will have the opportunity to play with the band, receive coaching from some of the band’s crack team of top musicians, as well as audition for a place in the band should they wish to.
The NYBBGB is conducted by maestro Bramwell Tovey, the musical director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and who regularly guests with some of the world’s most famous orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
The tutors for the open day are also coaches for the band’s forthcoming residential course at Harrogate Ladies College. Drawn from some of Britain’s leading brass bands, military bands and ensembles, they will include Mark Wilkinson, Ben Godfrey, Paul Young, Owen Farr, David Childs, Chris Jeans and Les Neish. Meanwhile, guest soloist for the week-long course will be 20-year old James Fountain, the recently appointed principal trumpet of the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who until two years ago, was principal cornet of the NYBBGB.
Philip Biggs, the NYBBGB’s administrator, said: ‘We’re really looking forward to the band’s visit to Harrogate. Ever since we launched the series of open days several years ago, we’ve had countless budding young musicians who have gone on to audition and become a member of the band. The band has been developing music excellence since 1952 and its alumni is something we are hugely proud of. We’d encourage budding musicians, teachers and others to come to both our open day or end of course concert.”
The band’s week-long residential training course will be held between 28 March and 4 April, which will culminate in two end of course concerts at the University of Salford’s Peel Hall (3 April) and Morley Town Hall (4 April).
Tickets for the concerts (priced £12 or £10 for concessions) are available by calling 01223 234090 or via www.ticketsource.co.uk/nybbgb
Those interested in the Open Day should email johnmaines@btinternet.com
