NYBBS Easter course 2015
YOUNG brass players across the country are making final preparations ahead of the 2015 Easter course of the National Youth Brass Bands of Scotland (NYBBS).
Organised by the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA), the residential course in Stirling runs from April 7 until April 9 and is due to culminate with a concert in Stirling Castle.
Members of the senior and reserve NYBBS will work with conductors Russell Gray, John Boax and Gordon Evans. They will also receive a workshop from Scottish composer Chris Brown, with the reserves rehearsing his piece The Loony Dook. Taken from the Queensferry Suite, the composer cites his inspiration for the piece as "those hardy individuals who brave the icy waters of the Forth for a 'dook' on New Year's Day".
Mr Boax, conductor of the NYBBS reserve band, commented: "This is the first time that I have been involved in the NYBBS Easter course and I'm really looking forward to meeting the band which, along with some new students, will make up the reserve band for the summer course.
"As reserve band conductor, being given this opportunity from SBBA to work alongside the senior NYBBS and Russell Gray is a positive step forward for the younger brass players, who will thrive during several days of intensive rehearsals followed by a concert in the spectacular setting of Stirling Castle."
The NYBBS Easter course concert takes place on Thursday April 9 at 1.30pm. Entry to the concert is via entry to the castle.
