NYBBS showcase for youth music & Video Presentation
NYBBS showcase for youth music on Creative Scotland website - watch video presentation
The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland
The Summer of 2012
Members of The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) enjoyed a fruitful summer when they attended their residential course at St Andrews University which took place from 30th July - 4th August 2012.
160 of Scotland's young brass and percussion players, aged between 9 and 21, congregated in University Hall to take part in a week of brass band related activities and were thrilled to welcome esteemed conductor Bramwell Tovey, as guest conductor and conducting mentor to former NYBBS Principal Cornet player, Eoin Tonner; work with tutors from The National Youth Choirs of Scotland for an educational collaboration project; perform as guests at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival and celebrate their weeks' achievements with two celebration concerts at The Younger Hall at the end of the course . It was a time of many ‘firsts' and has been regarded as an overwhelming success by its participants.
NYBBS consists of three levels of bands: The National Children's Brass Band of Scotland (NCBBS) for players under 13, The National Reserve Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NRYBBS) which acts as a development platform for those aspiring to move up to the next level, andacting as a feeder for The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) consisting of the premier level players. With the minimum requirements to attend the course starting at the equivalent of just Grade 3 to attend NCBBS, the collective bands provide an ideal opportunity for brass and percussion musicians of all ages and abilities to take part and enjoy the many benefits the course has on offer. The three level structure also provides an aspirational incentive for the members, enabling them to aim for and work towards the next level of band and reach their own personal goal.
Following the first day's series of seating auditions, to build the respective bands from the attendees, each of the three bands rehearsed separately in morning, afternoon and evening sessions, working on a range of repertoire, aimed at stretching and developing the players to achieve their best personal level. The rehearsals also incorporated smaller group sessions with experienced brass tutors and virtuosi players, who not only assisted the players with specific elements of the repertoire, but also helped to improve their technique, home practice approaches and general musicianship.
The course was also balanced with a mix of extra activities to build the social aspects of the bands, including band parties, cinema trips, solo competitions and informal concerts (where members could demonstrate their other talents - this year included singing, rock music, dancing, comedy and even a gymnastics display!) Tanya McDonald, aged 13, was selected as the Principal Cornet for The Children's Band of NYBBS, conducted by Gordon Evans. Reflecting on her time at the 2012 course, she commented: "Having been to NYBBS last year I knew that there would be a mix of a lot of hard work and a lot of fun during the week. I was looking forward to learning new music, improving my playing and stamina, learning new techniques and meeting new and old friends, and I definitely wasn't disappointed!
There was a busy rehearsal schedule and my cornet Tutor, Lynda Nicholson, was really encouraging and helpful. I also really liked being able to help some of the younger, less experienced, cornet players with their parts.
I enjoyed the wide variety of music that we played and as Principal Cornet I also played in an ensemble made up of the other principal players from The Children's Band of NYBBS. This experience was really fun because it gave us an additional playing opportunity and really helped to build our confidence.
I feel so lucky to have been able to work with Bramwell Tovey, and the workshops with tutors from NYCoS were really helpful in training us to pitch a note in our head so we knew exactly which point we were aiming for while playing our instruments. The many extra activities in our free time were also great fun!
We shared our end of course Celebration Concert with The Reserve Band of NYBBS. There was a huge crowd and I felt a mixture of nerves and pride when I walked on last to take the Principal's seat - it was such a great experience to play in front of so many people!
I really enjoyed my week, and I'm already looking forward to 2013. Now I want to practise even harder to try and get a good seat in the Reserves Band of NYBBS next year! I encourage any brass band players to come to NYBBS, it really is a great week for so many reasons!"
This year's course also provided a unique opportunity for an aspiring young conductor - Eoin Tonner, former Principal Cornet of The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland and currently studying conducting and trumpet at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, was selected to be mentored by Bramwell Tovey during the course. The focal piece for the mentoring sessions was the major composition ‘Variations on a Ninth' by Gilbert Vintner for which Eoin conducted The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland at its performances in Aberdeen and at The Younger Hall later in the week.
Eoin recognised the challenges of this opportunity from the outset, when Mr Tovey introduced him to the band and followed up with "Let's see what you can do!", leading Eoin into a ful l run of the epic focal work ‘Variations on a Ninth'. This direct approach proved extremely beneficial to Eoin's speedy development as Mr Tovey was able to comment and immediately improve on certain aspects of his posture, conducting expressiveness and communication with the band, setting the structure of the mentoring sessions for the rest of the week.
Eoin commented "It was great to hear and see how he could sort out some of the problems that arose from the first run through - both for the band and myself. Our subsequent one-to-one session the next morning addressed some of the specifics in the piece, but then he spent time talking about my general conducting techniques, the role of the conductor, gestures, how to convey ideas and emotions and my general aims for the week. He was extremely enthusiastic about my conducting and was always encouraging."
Eoin met with Bramwell Tovey every morning for a one-to-one tutorial, including analysis of video footage of the previous day's rehearsals. He then put his training into action by taking the band in regular rehearsals during the remainder of the week. Mr Tovey sat in on these rehearsals and tutored Eoin and the band by commenting on his observations as the piece progressed. This not only offered Eoin immediate feedback and direction, but also enabled the band members to get a clearer understanding of the considerations that need to be made by a conductor and the way in which those requirements can be conveyed.
Reflecting on the last rehearsal with Bramwell Tovey in attendance, Eoin comments: "I knew what I had to achieve with the band by the end of the session and I was determined. I rehearsed the band myself, with only the odd interjection from Mr Tovey. We then decided to run a full performance of the piece, but when approaching the last third of the performance, Mr Tovey took my score away! At first I felt a sense of panic, but I was sure I was prepared and knew the piece well enough. He was teaching me a valuable lesson - "Have the score in your head, not the head in the score!".
I went on to conduct the band in Aberdeen and St Andrews, trying to remember as much as I could from all the valuable advice and guidance I had received from Mr Tovey. Both performances were truly memorable, with some incredible playing from the soloists and the band.
As a result of this amazing opportunity to work with and learn from such an incredible man, I am delighted to find that I am now going to have the chance to work with Mr Tovey again in the near future."
Harry Marshall (aged 14) was selected as Principal Cornet of The Reserve Band of NYBBS, conducted by John Boax. He first joined NYBBS in 2011 as a member of The Children's Band of NYBBS. He recalled: "Last time was a great experience, and I was very eager to return this year".
Following a successful seating audition, Harry was delighted to have been moved up to the next level of the three bands and also to be offered the esteemed Principal Cornet position, demonstrating that it had been worth all his hard work over the previous 12 months. Enthusiastic about the 2012 course he comments: "The whole week was magic - hard work, but great fun. The best bits were performing in the concert with my friends in front of a large audience. Although I was nervous at times, I loved playing, and felt fantastic at the end.
The tutors were very knowledgeable and encouraging, and helped a great deal with my playing. It was also fantastic to meet well known and talented people such as Bramwell Tovey.
When the week was over, and I returned home, the first thing I wanted to do was practise. I think this proves how successful the course was, and makes me very keen to come back again next year!"
Stephanie Mitchell was selected for the Principal Cornet position for the second consecutive year of the premier level of the three bands - The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland, conducted by Richard Evans. She has been a member of NYBBS for the past 11 years and describes the NYBBS organisation as "a significant part of her musical journey", seeing it as the inspiration for her desire to now pursue a career in music. She continued: "Through attending NYBBS from a young age I have worked with some of the very best musicians in the industry which in turn has helped me grow as a performer. To be able to work with someone like Bramwell Tovey for a few days was one of the best experiences of my musical career so far. From the beginning to the end of his time at NYBBS, each and every single player gained something from him."
Leading the band through their guest performance at the Aberdeen Youth Festival, Stephanie comments: "It was a privilege for NYBBS to be asked to perform at Aberdeen's Youth Festival and it enabled us to once again play the collaborative work ‘New Blood' by Jim Sutherland, incorporating the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and the Royal Dhol Drummers. It was great to be able to work with these other young musicians of different specialities and learn from them too."
In summing up her overall experience of the course, Stephanie enthuses: "Every year that I have attended NYBBS I feel that I have left as a better player. The added responsibilities of being Principal Cornet of this prestigious band, with its associated expectations to support the members of the section, has given me an insight into a teaching career which really appeals. NYBBS has opened up many doors and other opportunities within the world of brass and for my future career - it's a valuable learning experience and I can't speak more highly of everyone involved. I would encourage any young brass or percussion musician to get involved."
The Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) has been looking after NYBBS since 2011 and their Development Manager, Andrew Duncan commented: "We are always looking for new ways to develop and enhance the NYBBS summer courses and this year delivered a wonderful variety of initiatives, with Bramwell Tovey's attendance making a particularly positive impact on the young musicians. The educational project with NYCoS was also a huge success, establishing important musical links between instrumental playing, the inner ear and breathing techniques. The NYCoS tutors gauged the exercises perfectly for the wide range of ages and ensured that each member benefited from the experience.
Some exciting plans for future projects and initiatives for NYBBS are already in hand and we look forward to building on the ever-growing success of the courses and the enthusiasm they derive from the participating young musicians.
SBBA fully encourages brass and percussion musicians aged between 9 and 21 of all levels from Grade 3 upwards to seize the opportunities the NYBBS courses can offer them in the development of their personal musicianship, learning amongst likeminded enthusiasts from world-renowned tutors and conductors. Enrolment forms are available from www.nybbs.co.uk or by contacting Neil Cross, Course Director at ncrosslanark@aol.com.
NYBBS Senior Band 2012 Conducted by Richard Evans
