Baritone star, Katrina Marzella, was the star guest at the Clarendon Hall in Twickenham recently, when she led a workshop and masterclass for the young players of the Richmond Music Trust.

Masterclasses

Katrina covered numerous topics, putting her young prodigies through their paces, with practical implementation before a keen group of participants were coached in different playing and performance styles.

Katrina was also joined by Regent Brass who provided the young performers with the opportunity to experience playing solos with a championship band backing.

Featured soloist

The event was brought to a climax with a free concert by the band under the direction of MD, Alan Duguid, with Katrina herself as the featured soloist.

The band produced an eclectic mix of items, including their own high-class soloists in form of soprano player Andy Hornsby and tuba player Adrian Parker.

Army duet

There was also the opportunity to hear one of the armed forces finest euphonium players too, as the venue gave Katrina’s fiancé, Brendan Wheeler the chance to gain a bit of a break from his current studies at Kneller Hall as member of the Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band to enthral the audience with a beautiful duet together of, ‘Deep Inside the Sacred Temple’.

However, the highlight of the day for two young students came with Adam Meyer (12) giving a lovely rendition of Ivor Bosanko’s cornet solo, ‘Share My Yoke’, whilst William Thomas (10) ably tackled the challenges of Stephen Bolton’s arrangement of Rodrigo’s ‘Concerto De Aranjuez’.

National Youth appearances

At present Katrina is hard at work with the young players of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain on their current Summer Course in Derby.

Katrina is a former alumnus of the band, and has returned this year as the featured guest soloist to perform Martin Ellerby’s Baritone Concerto, as well as the haunting My Mountain Top in Andy Scott’s new arrangement.

I’m looking forward to performing with Allan Withington and the incredibly talented young players at our concerts this weekendKatrina Marzella

Honour

Katrina told 4BR: "It’s a real honour to be invited to perform with the NYBB. This band is very special to me — I think it had a profound impact on my musical development as a young player and I have many, many fond memories from when I was a member of the band."

Concert performances this weekend

She added: "To be invited to return as a tutor in 2009 was a privilege in itself, but now I am absolutely thrilled to be playing as a soloist with them.

I’m looking forward to performing with Allan Withington and the incredibly talented young players at our concerts this weekend."

Notts and Stoke

The performances will take place at Albert Hall, Nottingham on Friday 29th July and Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday 30th July.