Macclesfield Youth Band’s recent Spring Concert turned out to be a quite remarkable event.

Dropped in

International tuba quartet Tubalate were special guests, as was American virtuoso trumpeter Rex Richardson, who surprised 120 delighted young players by dropping in to perform the English premiere of ‘Spirit of the Flame’ by composer Lucy Pankhurst, with the composer sat in the front row of the audience.

World's best

MD Louise Renshaw told 4BR: "I arrived at the concert to learn that one of the world’s best trumpet players was at Macclesfield Station and was asking if he could play ‘Birdland’ with the band!

Les Neish had bumped into him at the RNCM that morning and invited him to the concert. I didn’t even meet him before the concert started! He literally ran in, went straight on stage and delivered a thrilling performance!"

Tubalate workshop

Having given a workshop for the young players in the afternoon, Tubalate also delivered a brilliant performance in the evening.

The surprised everyone with their singing and then, joined on kit by Ant Mann of Foden’s, performed Andy Scott’s ‘Bite the Bullet’ which had the audience completely enthralled.

All of the ensembles were superb and I was blown away with the confidence, talent and sheer enjoyment that shone from the stageLucy Pankhurst

Delighted

Louise added: "I’m absolutely delighted that we were able to bring these fantastic players to Macclesfield and to share some really exciting contemporary, as well as traditional, brass music with the audience."

Lucy Pankhurst was delighted too with the performance of ‘Spirit of the Flame’: "All of the ensembles were superb and I was blown away with the confidence, talent and sheer enjoyment that shone from the stage."