This week sees the announcement of the commission of one of the most substantial ever symphonies written for a brass band.

Joint funding

During 2012, the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and the National Youth Brass Band of Wales will be celebrating their 60th and 30th anniversaries respectively, and the work was jointly commissioned with funding from Youth Music and Ty Cerdd – Music Centre Wales.

Symphony

Edward Gregson, former Principal of the Royal Northern College of Music, will compose ‘Symphony in Two Movements for Brass Band’ and told 4BR:

"When I was approached about a joint commission to write a new work to celebrate these milestones, I was delighted to accept and decided to respond by writing a work apposite for the magnitude of these special occasions — namely a symphony for brass."

When I was approached about a joint commission to write a new work to celebrate these milestones, I was delighted to accept and decided to respond by writing a work apposite for the magnitude of these special occasionsEdward Gregson

Return

He continued: "In the past twenty years or so, I have written only three works for brass band, so that tells you that this is a sort of return to brass band composition for me."

Significant

Phillip Biggs, Administrator of The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain explained that this was a most significant commission.

"Since the formation of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain in 1952, it has commissioned many major composers and it is fitting that in this Diamond Jubilee year Edward Gregson has agreed to write a major new work. Everyone at the NYBBGB is delighted that he has accepted this commission."

Honoured

Robert Nicholls, Director of Tŷ Cerdd-Music Centre Wales, added:

"We are honoured that Professor Gregson has agreed to compose for this celebration. I’m sure the new work will be a valued contribution to the brass band repertoire, and I sincerely hope that many bands will have the pleasure of performing the music in the future."