Bilton Silver (Rugby) Band is to enjoy the premiere of 'Jack-in-a-Box', a new xylophone solo by Paul Lovatt-Cooper, composed specially for their talented young percussionist, 12-year old Jack Fisher.

The piece is due to be performed for the first time, by Jack, at the band’s Christmas Concert later this month.

Young sticks

Jack started playing with the Bilton almost as soon as he could hold a pair of sticks, making his senior band contest debut, alongside his friend Antony Green, at the age of 8.

He has been a member of the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain since 2007, following in the footsteps of cornet-playing sister Jodie.

Talent

Band Secretary, Judith Hayes, told 4BR: "Jack has shown an amazing talent and commitment that belies his years, and we felt it would be wholly appropriate to try to encourage him to achieve even more by commissioning a solo work from Paul, as a percussionist himself and a key member of the NCBBGB team."

I have been very busy practising and I hope that the audience will enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoy playing itJack Fisher

Excited

Jack is very excited about playing the piece, and told 4BR: "Since joining the NCBBGB, Paul has taught me so much. He is an amazing tutor, and is so funny. I realise that I am very lucky to have the percussionist of Black Dyke as my tutor, but to have a piece of music written just for me by him is just so exciting! I have been very busy practising and I hope that the audience will enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoy playing it."

Tremendous fun

Paul meanwhile added: "It has been tremendous fun composing this piece, especially as it’s for such a talented young man. Jack epitomises what being a young musician is all about — hard work, a great attitude and to have lots of fun music making. And the piece suits him down to the ground as, like him, it’s cheeky and fun."