NYBBGB to Hold Free Workshop For All

The 80-strong National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBB) – in which entry is by audition only – is to hold a free-of-charge workshop for young brass and percussion players.

The NYBB open day ‘workshop’ on 3 April, will give brass and percussion players aged eight to 18, the chance to play in the band, receive expert tuition, and audition for a place too. Musicians not old enough to audition for the NYBB, will be given the opportunity to audition for the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain (NCBB).

Tutors will be led by some of the UK’s leading brass and percussion players: Richard Marshall, Mark Wilkinson, Lucy Cutt, Owen Farr, Katrina Marzella-Wheeler, Chris Jeans, Les Neish, Mark Landon and John Maines. Attendees will get to play under Bramwell Tovey, the band’s artistic director, who in January was appointed principal conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra. The band will be preparing for two forthcoming concerts in the region, held at Cheltenham Town Hall (6 April) and Wells Cathedral (7 April.)

Philip Biggs, the NYBBGB’s administrator, told A4B: “The band’s open days are always hugely popular with attendees; with many of those who have attended previously, going onto join both bands. Designed to inspire all those attend, we would encourage anyone with an interest in developing their playing to get in touch.”

Alumni of the band include Philip Cobb (London Symphony Orchestra), Mark Wilkinson (Fodens Band) and David Childs (euphonium soloist.) The Open Day, which will be held at Taunton School in Somerset, will begin at 10am and end at lunchtime. To sign up, email: [email protected]