Concert finale for NYBBS residential Easter course

Forty new and existing Senior and Reserve players with the National Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) took to the stage for their end-of-week concert which brought the curtain down on this year’s four-day residential Easter course.

The event in the Strathallan School theatre in Perthshire – in front proud parents and carers and enthusiastic supporters – marked the culmination of rehearsals and master classes on numerous pieces which formed the repertoire for the concert programme.

Course director Carrie Boax (cover picture with the band) thanked not only the music team of Ian Porthouse, John Boax and Alan Fernie but also the pastoral staff who supported the students throughout their stay at Strathallan – Tom Allan, Damien Martin, Jim Milligan, Carol Mason and Carol Moore.

“I am also grateful for the input of the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) volunteers who have helped facilitate the course this week, particularly our NYBBS librarian, Jim Wishart,” she said.

“A special mention must also go to the parents and carers who unfailingly help to support and encourage the amazing young people who make up NYBBS.”

The concert programme consisted of Berne Patrol (arr. Elgar Howarth), Culloden Moor (Gareth Wood), Sosban Fach (Gareth Wood), A la manera (Paul Sharman), Guardian of My Soul (Darren Shaw), They Shall Come from the East (Kevin Larsson) and the finale of Fire in the Blood (Paul Lovatt-Cooper). A Twinkle in His Eye [for Tredegar in memory of Richard Evans] (Alan Fernie) was the band's encore piece.

SBBA education officer John Boax summed up: “We have had a very productive four days working with our inspirational NYBBS senior band musical director Ian Porthouse.

“The Easter course is always an important barometer of how the annual summer course will be and after this week I know the NYBBS family of the Senior, Reserve and Children’s bands are making great progress.”

The NYBBS course is supported by Creative Scotland as part of the Youth Music Initiative – Access to Music Making fund.