Philip Biggs and Richard Franklin have announced that trombone virtuoso Matthew Gee, Principal Trombone of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, will present the 2013 All England Masters International Dedication Award to his former teacher Chris Jeans in recognition of his 37 years of dedicated championship banding and over 30 years of youth band conducting.
Legend
Philip Biggs told 4BR: "Chris is a true legend of brass banding as a player, conductor, mentor and educator. His work with Youth Brass 2000 is nothing short of astonishing and to see the players Chris has taught, shaped and inspired really says it all.
He is the consummate professional and a role model to us all. He was the unanimous candidate for this year’s award."
Youth Brass programme
Meanwhile, Youth Brass 2000, the current National Youth Entertainment Champions, BBC Radio 2 Youth Band of the Year and Butlins Youth Champions has announced their pre-results programme for this year’s All England Masters International on the 26th May.
Under the baton of Chris Jeans, they will perform ‘The Essential Glenn Miller Set’ dressed in American Air Force uniform, with a number of arrangements that have been specially written for them by members of the Glenn Miller Band when Youth Brass 2000 performed with them last year.
He is the consummate professional and a role model to us all. He was the unanimous candidate for this year’s awardPhilip Biggs and Richard Franklin
Glenn Miller
The set will include items such as ‘St. Louis Blues’ and ‘Moonlight Serenade’, ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’, ‘Little Brown Jug’ and ‘American Patrol’, as well as Thomas Fountain performing Kenny Baker’s ‘Virtuosity’ and Ivor Bosanko’s ‘Rocky Mountain Centennial’.
Tickets
The All England Masters International Dedication Award will be presented to Chris at the conclusion of the Championship which takes place at the Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering on Sunday 26th May.
Tickets for both the Championship and Gala Concert are available from the Lighthouse Theatre: Box Office, telephone 01536 414141.
