The sixty five young musicians of the Cornwall Youth Brass Band spent their Easter weekend at Truro High School for Girls, in intensive rehearsals with guest conductor, Dr Nicholas Childs.

Testing

The Black Dyke MD, worked with the enthusiastic musicians on a range of testing music, including pieces by Sir Malcolm Arnold, Dr Peter Graham and Paul Lovatt-Cooper.

The highlight was Edward Gregson’s, ‘An Age of Kings’, which was originally commissioned by Black Dyke for their 150th anniversary.

With its off stage fanfares it proved a great success with both the players and the large audience at the end of course concert at St Michael’s Church in Newquay.

Flawless

Joining the band as guest soloist was Zoe Hancock, a former member of the Cornwall Youth Band, who is now the flugel horn player with Black Dyke.

Making her first appearance with the band as a guest soloist, she captivated the audience with her flawless technique. During the course she also coached the members of the horn section at their sectional rehearsals.

Helping hands

Representing no less than 27 individual bands, the young musicians were looked after by a voluntary team of helpers throughout the course.

Dr Childs was assisted by the band’s local team of conductors and tutors, led by Alan Pope, Aaron Harvey and Jeremy Willcock. The band now takes a summer break, assembling again in September, when new musicians are welcome to join.