The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) will be taking part in a major fusion of brass and folk music next weekend as part of the internationally renowned Celtic Connections festival.

First time

This is the first time NYBBS has been invited to participate in this significant event to be held at The Mitchell Theatre in Glasgow on Saturday 19th January at 7.30pm.

The band will take part in 70th anniversary celebration of the extraordinary wartime story enshrined in Jenna and Bethany Reid’s narrated musical suite ‘The Shetland Bus’, in a new collaboration with the Reid’s original six-piece folk ensemble.

Wonderful experience

The music has been specially arranged and scored for the band by Andrew Duncan, who told 4BR: "This is sure to be such a wonderful experience for the NYBBS players, the ensemble and myself.

The forthcoming performance will introduce a whole new musical dimension to ‘The Shetland Bus’ suite with the addition of the brass band. It’s now a phenomenal combination of sounds that work so well together."

Excited

He added: "We are all very excited to be part of this important step forward in further developing the presence of brass band sounds with other traditional genres. I’ve no doubt everyone will want these beautifully compatible sounds to play an even bigger part in future festivals."

We are all very excited to be part of this important step forward in further developing the presence of brass band sounds with other traditional genresAndrew Duncan

Performances

Celtic Connections takes place across 20 venues in Glasgow from 17th January – 3rd February, involving over 2,000 performers in 250 performances.

The festival is now in its 20th year and has become one of the most prestigious celebrations of international folk music in the world.

Tickets for ‘The Shetland Bus’ performance can be booked via www.celticconnections.com