Bramwell Tovey delight NYBBS members in St Andrews
World renowned conductor and composer, Bramwell Tovey, delighted the 160+ members of The National Youth Brass Bands of Scotland (NYBBS) by flying in to work with each of the three bands during his visit to their residential Summer Course this week. Following his return from recent performances in New York with the New York Philharmonic, he will be spending three days at the NYBBS course, being held at St Andrews University, sharing his time by working with each of the three bands - The Children's Band of NYBBS, The Reserve Band of NYBBS and The National Youth Brass Band. Leading the young musicians in rehearsals and offering them the benefit of his widespread experience, he will provide them with an unparalleled insight to the many musical opportunities that are available to them across the world.
In addition to being the Music Director of the Vancouver Symphony orchestra, Bramwell Tovey's 2012/13 schedule takes him to the Cleveland, Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and Montreal orchestras as well as to Europe which will include the Swedish premiere of his piano and orchestra work Pictures in the Smoke with the Helsingborg Symphony. In May he debuted with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and also returned to the Melbourne Symphony.
His attendance at the NYBBS course is, therefore, an overwhelming gesture of support for the many young aspiring musicians, and indicates his own appreciation of the significant musical benefits The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland offers its talented members.
The Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) now look after NYBBS and Andrew Duncan, SBBA's Development Manager commented after the first rehearsal: "Bramwell Tovey has made such an impact on the members of all the bands already. His presence at the residential course is something that will be a remarkable memory to be treasured by the members for a long time to come. His approach and inspirational engagement with the young musicians really is something to behold! The generosity Bramwell has shown in offering his time in this way is a clear indication that his brass band and tuba playing background is still a very important part of his musical life."
As part of the ongoing wider opportunities that are being developed for its young talented musicians, former NYBBS Principal Cornet, Eoin Tonner has the privilege of being selected to be mentored by Mr Tovey during the course, working closely on his conducting technique with the focal rehearsal work ‘Variations on a Ninth'. Eoin will be also be conducting the performance of this particular piece at the end of course Celebration Concerts which take place on 4th August.
George Burt, President of SBBA concluded: "It is such a pleasure to see Bramwell Tovey give so much to the many young musicians here this week. With a musical career as distinguished and as busy as Mr Tovey's, it is heart-warming and extremely encouraging to watch him devote his time and energy in this way. It is true testament to his clear understanding of the significance and importance of NYBBS, as well as the ongoing work being undertaken by SBBA to strengthen and develop the brass band genre in Scotland."
The concert collection will be launched at 2.30pm on Saturday 4th August with a performance by The Children's Band of NYBBS, followed by a concert by The Reserve Band of NYBBS. The celebrations will then be concluded with an evening concert starting at 7.30pm by the premier level band - The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland. All concerts take place at The Younger Hall, St Andrews University, North Street, St Andrews, everyone is welcome to come and share in this musical feast (tickets available on arrival at venue).
