*
banner

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.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


uk fORUM

Endorsement and reservations from UKLBF to automatic National invitations

August 13 • The UK Leading Bands Forum has welcomed the return of the four band automatic invitation to Albert Hall Final — but with pointed reservations.


Presto

Make a presto decision to add to your recording collection...

August 13 • There are six more, new and classic CDs and downloads to consider as you build your brass collection through a new partnership between 4BR and Presto Music.


Star Crossed lovers

Fewer than 100 premium tickets left for British Open

August 13 • If you want to to snap up a ticket for the Stalls or Upper Circle for this year's British Open, then make sure you don't miss out.


Gregson

Gregson's Choice on National eve

August 13 • You can still grab a seat for the chance to hear an evening of great Edward Gregson music on the eve of the Albert Hall National Final from the ISB and Ian Bousfield.


The Lindley Band - Parp and a Pint

Wednesday 6 August • 14a Holly Bank Road. Lindley. Huddersfield . West Yorkshire HD3 3 JE


Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 8 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham GL51 7JY


Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 15 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham, GL51 7JY GL52 7JY


Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 22 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham, GL51 7JY GL51 7JY


Haverhill Silver Band - East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival

Sunday 24 August • St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QX


Wetherby & District Silver Band

August 14 • We have a back row cornet and horn seat available in our friendly, top end of third section band. Although we take our music seriously we also try to have as much fun as possible in the process! We rehearse Monday and Friday evenings 8-9:45pm in Wetherby


Epping Forest Band

August 11 • Epping Forest Band have a vacancy for a solo horn player.. We are a friendly social 3rd section band with a variety of concerts throughout the year.. We have our own band hut and are within easy distance of the M11 and the central line.


Ilkeston Brass

August 9 • Ilkeston Brass need a new MD! We are a 4th section band based in SE Derbyshire with a strong community presence. We have empty seats in the cornet section but a core of committed players fighting to keep the band going.


Paul Andrews


Conductor, Band trainer, Adjudicator, Instrument Repairer - Brasstoff


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd