National Youth Brass Band of Scotland enthralled audiences in St Andrews
The three bands of The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland enthralled audiences in St Andrews at their Celebration Concerts, which took place on Saturday 4th August at The Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews. The combined concert by The Children's Band of NYBBS and The Reserve Band of NYBBS and evening concert of The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland marked the culmination of a week-long residential music course held at St Andrews University, attended by 160+ young brass and percussion musicians aged 9-21. The concert programmes provided the enthusiastic audiences with a plethora of music from classics to pop, film/TV to originals, including a demonstration of the singing techniques learned from the visiting Tutors of The National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCoS), a performance incorporating the hall's magnificent organ, and a performance by young conductor Eoin Tonner who had been mentored during the week by Maestro Bramwell Tovey.
The concerts also offered a perfect setting to make the formal presentations of the highly acclaimed course awards of ‘Best Student' and ‘Best Soloist' for all three bands (Euan Lumsden/Archie McVicar; Maddie Pullan/Harry Marshall; Rachel Neil/Kenneth Brown respectively) and the additional NYBBS ‘Phillip McCann Award for the player who has contributed the most to their section' (Gregory Chaplain - cornet).
The Children's Band of NYBBS (conducted by Gordon Evans) and The Reserve Band of NYBBS (conducted by John Boax) launched the Celebration Concerts at 2.30pm with an eclectic mix of items, the finalé bringing both bands together with a very lively samba number - Festiva Brazilia, incorporating a wealth of percussion instruments throughout both bands and raising the audience to their feet with rapturous applause to mark the success of the afternoon's entertainment.
The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland, conducted by Richard Evans, had returned from their guest performance at the Aberdeen International Youth Music Festival just the night before. They commenced their concert at 7.30pm and delighted the audience with a variety of exciting old and new favourites. The evening also introduced Eoin Tonner as guest conductor for 'Variations on a Ninth', putting into action all the tuition and guidance he had received from Bramwell Tovey (esteemed visiting guest conductor) when he was privileged to be mentored by this world-renowned Maestro during the course.
The NYBBS also took advantage of The Younger Hall's magnificent organ, inviting organist Graeme Stevenson (Director of Music at the University of Dundee) to perform with them for their momentous concert closer - the Finalé from Saint-Saen's 3rd Symphony - The Organ. Concluding the day's music-making with an encore of ‘Stars and Stripes' the delighted audience displayed their unquestionable enjoyment with roof-raising cheers and enthusiastic applause.
Encompassing the ethos of the annual Summer Course of NYBBS, one member commented on Twitter: "Just came off stage from our final concert, was phenomenal! Loved NYBBS so much, made new friends and learned loads! Roll on next Year!"
The Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) was also pleased to welcome special guest Craig Buchan, Managing Director of Geneva Instruments, one of SBBA's new sponsors. Craig was extremely impressed with the wealth of talent on display at both concerts and praised the young performers for all their hard work during the week.
Plans for next year are already in hand and details will be posted on the NYBBS and SBBA websites once finalised. With three bands of varying levels, catering for ages between 9-21, all brass and percussion players are encouraged to attend and take advantage of this unique opportunity to develop their playing and musicality, have fun, make friends, and represent Scotland's talented young musicians
