The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain unveils its repertoire for Easter 2021

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB), the UK’s leading brass bands for children and teenagers, has unveiled the repertoire for its forthcoming Easter course.

The news falls hot on the heels of the announcement of the partnership between the NYBBGB and the Royal Marines Band Service (RMBS), and the details of the 2021 season, which due to the ongoing pandemic, will be a mix of virtual and physical performances and educational opportunities.

Ian Porthouse, Guest Conductor, will work with the NYBBGB Youth Band on Peter Graham’s Triumph of Time, Gavin Higgins Ballet, Dark Arteries and Gareth Wood’s Brass Triumphant. Brass Triumphant will be recorded for use in the NYBBGB Easter Gala Concert, which is due to be broadcast on 21 April. Ian will also deliver a masterclass to the members on programming.

One of the UK’s finest brass musicians

Guest soloist, cornet star and principal cornet of the Cory Band, Tom Hutchinson, will perform a virtual recital. Featuring music by Oskar Böhme, Joy Webb, James Curnow and Harry James, he will be accompanied by pianist Chris Williams. Tom will also perform in the virtual Gala Concert a few weeks later accompanied by members of the NYBBGB. His programme will feature James Curnow’s Concertpiece, Hayden Wood’s A Brown Bird Singing and Clarence Williams’ Sugar Blues.

Dr Robert Childs, the NYBBGB’s Director of Artistic Planning, said:

“The forthcoming Easter course promises to be truly exciting, with some really major works programmed for the band. The combination of Ian Porthouse, one of the UK’s leading conductors, and Tom Hutchinson, one of the UK’s finest brass players, promises to be a fantastic cocktail, one that really inspires the youngsters to go on to greater things.”

Blended approach

The Easter Course is due to be held between 4th and 9th April, and subject to appropriate government guidance, the NYBBGB Youth Band is looking to hold a blended virtual/physical Easter Course which will see the band split into three smaller ensembles playing live at Chetham’s School of Music (Manchester), Malvern College (Worcestershire) and St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.

Search for the NYBBGB (funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Education) on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit www.nybbgb.org.ukto keep up-to-date.