NYBBGB To Share Barbican Stage With LSO Stars

The 80-strong National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB), conducted by the Grammy award-winning conductor, Bramwell Tovey, of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, is to perform at London’s Barbican Centre on 22 April, alongside two of the London Symphony Orchestra’s (LSO) star players.

The two players are no strangers to the NYBBGB. Philip Cobb, LSO Principal Trumpet, was NYBBGB principal cornet player from 2002 to 2006, and Peter Moore, Principal Trombone, was a founding member of the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain and a former principal trombonist.

Philip will perform Denis Wright’s Concerto for Cornet, whilst Peter will play Brawmell Tovey’s Lincoln Tunnel Cabaret. The two soloists will join together to play Joseph Turrin’s Fandango.

The programme will also feature the world premiere of the concert suite version of Gavin Higgins’ Dark Arteries, originally commissioned as ballet music for the Rambert Dance Company, and will end with Lucy Pankhurst’s Wired. Additional repertoire will include Elgar Howarth’s Mosaic (c8’), Edward Gregson’s Symphony in Two Movements, John Ireland’s ‘Elegy’ from A Downland Suite, and Joseph Horovitz’s Ballet for Band.

The concert will take place after a week-long residential course which is being held at Wymondham College in Norfolk. Tutors for the course will include Tom Hutchinson (Cory), Owen Farr (Brass Band of Battle Creek), Brett Baker (Black Dyke), Les Neish (Brass Band of Battle Creek) and Mark Landon (Foden’s Band.)

Immediately after the course, there will also be a concert on 15th April at the University of Cambridge’s West Road Concert Hall, starting at 7.30pm.

Philip Biggs, the band’s administrator, told A4B: “Performing at the Barbican, one of the UK’s most prestigious concert halls, is always a special treat for any musician. Performing alongside two of the world’s finest brass players, is also extra special, especially as both Philip and Peter have such strong links with the band. We’re also delighted to be playing the world premiere of Gavin Higgins’ acclaimed Dark Arteries, originally commissioned as ballet music for the Rambert Dance Company in 2015, along with a number of other substantial works for brass band.”

Tickets for the concert in Cambridge are priced £14 by calling 01223 234090. Meanwhile, tickets for the London concert are available via the Barbican box office, priced between £10 and £14, by phoning 020 7638 8891or online via http://bit.ly/2iM8e0b

Alternatively, click to the newly updated NYBB website, www.nybbgb.com