The National Methodist Youth Brass Band (NMYBB) recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of its formation.

Fun and faith

Formed in 1987 for young Methodist brass players from across the United Kingdom, the band has since performed around the UK and across the globe spreading the fun, faith and fellowship embodied by the band and its members.

The band returned triumphantly to the place of its birth in Surbiton for a special celebration concert and service over the weekend of 11th-13th of May under the baton of conductors Peter Strawson and Oliver Wilson.

Meet together

The band is made up of youngsters from the age of 13 and upwards who all play in their own home band and meet to make music together 5 or 6 times a year.

The concert included works by Paul Lovatt-Cooper and Leigh Baker’s, as well as the UK premiere of the bands specially commissioned work ‘Fun, Faith and Fellowship’ by Norwegian composer Thomas Swatland, a recent graduate from Salford University.

The band is made up of youngsters from the age of 13 and upwards who all play in their own home band and meet to make music together 5 or 6 times a year4BR

Deep Harmony

The three movement work includes settings of various worship songs and hymns as well as enthralling original material, with the middle movement based on the band’s signature hymn tune ‘Deep Harmony’.

The piece was rapturously received by both the listening audience and the players of the band who enjoyed the challenge of working up a piece specially written for them.

Founder

Founder and President, Norman Every led the band with the baton once more for two pieces during the concert, and the band was delighted to welcome founder members, leaders and friends from across the 25 years of the NMYBB to share in their birthday celebrations.