NYBBS Easter course culminates in challenging concert

The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) residential Easter course came to an exhilarating end with a challenging and entertaining concert in the theatre at the Strathallan School in Perthshire.

Just over 40 young brass instrumentalists and percussionists from the NYBBS Reserve and Senior bands took part in the three-day event, working with musical directors John Boax, Ian Porthouse and Alan Fernie (below) on the repertoire for the concert.

During the week the three MDs led group practice sessions, sectional workshops and individual tuition with the aim of perfecting the young musicians’ performance skills in readiness for the showcase finale which included:

·      Ad Astra (Jacob Vilhelm Larson)

·      Oceans (Goff Richards)

·      Prelude ‘49th Parallel’ (Ralph Vaughan Williams)

·      The Smile (Matthew Hall)

·      Funky Brass (Otto M. Schwarz)

Halfway through the programme the percussion section played an arrangement by lead percussionist Louise Andrews of Earth Wind and Fire’s September.

“The Easter course is always an important barometer of how the annual summer course will shape up and, after this week, I am delighted to report the NYBBS family of young musicians are making great progress,” said John Boax.

“This get-together is one of the highlights of the NYBBS year and I'm very excited about what we have to offer in the summer when the Children's band will join us for what will be another superb week of high quality music making.”

The NYBBS summer course will take place from Sunday 26 July to Saturday 1 August. There are still a limited number of places available and the entry form can be found via the NYBBS page on the Scottish Brass Band Association website. The deadline for applications is Friday 1 May.

For further information, contact John Boax at sbbaeducation@gmail.com