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Full steam ahead for National Childrens Band this weekend

Three fantastic world premieres and a brilliant guest soloist set to help National Children's Band celebrate its 10th birthday.

National Childrens Band logo
 

The National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain has confirmed its programme for its 10th anniversary celebration concert, which is to be held the 400 Hall at Repton School near Derby on
Saturday 27th July at 2.30pm.

Wide range

The talented youngsters will perform a wide range of music under the baton of MD Dr Nicholas Childs, including three world premieres by composers, Dan Price and Jonathan Bates, specially written for the event.

London Town

Jonathan has composed ‘In London Town’, based around the number 10.

He told 4BR: "The 10 minute long piece is largely based on 10 notes heard at the outset and the music features 'olde-English' style court music and contemporary dub-step/dance music.

There are also sections where the performers use whistles to represent birdsong in parks and sing in four-part harmony."

Mallard 4468

Meanwhile, one of Dan’s new works bears the name of one of the most the famous, record-breaking steam trains in the world – ‘Mallard 4468’.

The aerodynamic blue coloured Mallard still holds the world speed record for a steam train of 125.88mph, which it set north of Grantham on 3rd July 1938.

75th anniversary

Dan added: “The music celebrates the 75th anniversary of this amazing feat and derives from the engine number 4468 translated into a melody using intervals of fourths, a major sixth and an octave.

It follows the journey of its record breaking run, ending as it disappears from sight through Stoke Tunnel.”

Wonderful

Dan added: "It’s wonderful to be involved with this important milestone for the band. It was fantastic to hear my new piece, and to hear my music played with such enthusiasm and to such a high standard by this talented group of young stars."

Guest soloist

Guest soloist this year is trombone virtuoso Peter Moore, who was the band's first solo trombone player in 2003.

Peter will provide the world premiere of Dan’s, ‘Roller Coaster’, as well as performing Gordon Langford's ‘Rhapsody for Trombone’, Bill Geldard's arrangement of ‘I'm Getting Sentimental Over You’ and Arthur Pryor's ‘Fantastic Polka’.

The remainder of the programme includes Paul Lovatt-Cooper's ‘Young Legends’ and Eric Ball's ‘Star Lake’.

With world premieres from Jonathan and Price, together with star soloist Peter Moore, we are guaranteed a concert not to forgetCourse Director, Dr Nicholas Childs

Five day course

The concert is the culmination of the latest five-day residential course held at Repton School led by course director Dr Nicholas Childs.

He told 4BR: "It is always an exciting time when you can showcase the very finest brass stars of tomorrow — and even more so when celebrating the 10th anniversary of such a great organisation.

With world premieres from Jonathan and Price, together with star soloist Peter Moore, we are guaranteed a concert not to forget."

Tickets:

Tickets are available priced £12 each and £10 for concessions. Tickets are available through Philip Biggs on 01223 234090.

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