Two of America’s foremost military musicians will make the trip across the Atlantic Ocean this year to undertake leading roles with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

Guest conductor and soloist

Major Michelle Rakers (above), the Assistant Director of Music of the United States Marine Band, has been invited to be guest conductor of the forthcoming summer course to be held at Wymondham College, Norfolk, whilst Staff Sergeant, Amy McCabe is to be the featured soloist.

The invitation marks another innovative ‘first’ for the National Youth Band, and builds on Artistic Director Bramwell Tovey’s decision to expand the scope of its musical influences, which in the last few years has seen transatlantic visits from the likes of Joseph Alessi, Jens Lindemann and Andrew McCandless.

President's Own

The latest invitation to ‘The President's Own’ United States Marine Band, based in Washington DC, continues that approach, which will culminate in end of course concerts at Beccles Parish Church (home of NYBBGB President and former Artistic Director, Elgar Howarth) on Friday 8th August, and Regent Hall, London on Saturday 9th August.

Artistic Director Bramwell Tovey has directed 13 of the 17 courses since taking on the role in 2006, but is unable to conduct this coming summer course as he will be making his own conducting debut with the world renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the USA.

He will however direct the band at the Great Northern Brass Arts Festival at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on Saturday 13th September.

Major

Assistant Director Major Michelle A. Rakers joined ‘The President’s Own’ United States Marine Band in May 1998 and was appointed Assistant Director and commissioned in 2004. She was promoted to the rank of Captain by the Commandant of the Marine Corps General Michael W. Hagee in 2006.

She is both the first female Assistant Director and first female commissioned officer in the history of ‘The President’s Own’. Earlier this month she was promoted to the rank of Major.

The invitation marks another innovative ‘first’ for the National Youth Band, and builds on Artistic Director Bramwell Tovey’s decision to expand the scope of its musical influences4BR

Masters

Trumpeter/cornetist Staff Sergeant Amy McCabe joined ‘The President’s Own’ in 2006 following her award of her master’s degree in trumpet performance from Northwestern University.

Amy McCabe was also featured soloist in the Tony/Emmy award winning show ‘Blast!’ and a member of MusiCorps, a music education and advocacy programme designed to promote music awareness, appreciation and training in the Chicago Public Schools.

She has performed with the Chicago Civic Orchestra, the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra in Charleston, S.C., and the Walt DisneyWorld All-Star Collegiate Jazz Band and Christmas Brass in Orlando. She also received the Roger Voisin Trumpet Award while a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center.