*
banner

And all that jazz...

The National Youth Band of Wales is getting ready for its end of course concerts which will feature a bit of jazz.... Cool...

Reid Gilje
 

The National Youth Brass Band of Wales is currently putting the final touches to their preparations ahead of a brace of concerts that will conclude its 2014 course.

Great time

The band has been directed this year by Norwegian conductor Reid Gilje (above), with the talented musicians working on an eclectic selection of repertoire that encompasses George Lloyd’s ‘English Heritage’ and ‘Chump Change’ by Quincy Jones, to Joe Zawinul’s ‘Birdland’, ‘A Child is Born’ by Thad Jones and Frode Rydland’s ‘Red Morning Star & Bucimis’.

And according to Youth Music Manager Matthew Thistlewood, it has been an intense week of practice, enjoyment, rehearsals and relaxation.

"Everyone has had a great time working with Reid and it’s has been a wonderful musical experience for the young players, exploring new and exciting musical genres."

Jazz concerto

That has certainly been the case with Huw Warren’s ‘On the Other Hand’ — a concerto for two jazz trumpets, which will feature the talents of former youth band alumni Gethin Liddington and Percy Pursglove, the MD of National Youth Jazz Wales.

"It’s a brilliant work that has really opened the eyes of the players," Matthew added. "Gethin and Percy are fantastic jazz performers, so it shouldn’t be missed."

New generation

The new generation of Welsh composers will also be featured, with ‘A Welsh Fantasy’ from Ryan Howells, winner of the Ty Cerdd Young Composer competition being premiered at the concerts at Canolfen Beaumaris on Friday evening and at the William Aston Hall, Wrexham on Saturday 26th. Both concerts start at 7.00pm.

With Welsh banding enjoying such success of late, the players from all parts of the country have also benefited from the experience of tutors Gareth Small, Dewi Griffiths, Lesley Poole, Glyn Williams, Les Neish, Simon Cowen and Simone Reblleo.

It’s a brilliant work that has really opened the eyes of the players. Gethin and Percy are fantastic jazz performers, so it shouldn't be missedYouth Music Manager Matthew Thistlewood

Principals

This year’s principal positions also reflected the wide geographical spread of talent with Pippa Scourse from Beaumaris leading the band as principal cornet, with Tom Dunne (Torfaen) on euphonium, Gwern James (Ceredigion) on soprano, Hannah Rogers (Cardiff) on horn, Jack Roberts (Anglesey) on baritone, Merin Lleu (Gwynedd) on trombone, Emily Humphries (Torfaen) on flugel, Rob Cowlishaw (Wrexham) on Eb tuba and Rose Gillison (Ceredigion) on BBb tuba.

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    


Fife Charieites

Result: 2025 Fife Charities

September 28 • Haydock claims the honours in Fife


Red Admiral

Results: 2025 Red Admiral Entertainment Contest

September 28 • There has been plenty of entertainment to enjoy in Chorley today


BBE Conference

BBE delegates head to Durham

September 26 • There will be accent on youth at the Brass Bands England Conference in Durham this weekend.


Gavin Higgins

Critics Award for Higgins

September 26 • The latest major accolade for composer Gavin Higgins comes from the critics themselves.


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Cheltenham Silver Band - Music from the Bandstand, Montpellier Gardens

Sunday 28 September • Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham GL50 1UW


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 2 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Trombone Quartet

Friday 3 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Fulham Brass Band

Friday 3 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ


Olney Brass

September 26 • Currently seeking the following players to complete our line up:. Solo Cornet, Soprano Cornet, Flugel Horn & Eb Bass.. We are a friendly and ambitious, 2nd section L&SC area brass band, with a good mixture of concerts, fetes and contests throughout the year


Milton Keynes Brass

September 26 • Required: Solo Euphonium and Solo Horn. We are a championship section band, newly promoted in 2025. We rehearse in Loughton Milton Keynes on a Tuesday night at 7.45pm until 10pm, with extra rehearsals prior to contests or formal concerts.


Hathersage Band

September 24 • BASS TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making, play a wide variety of music and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Dr. Stephen Arthur Allen

D. Phil. (Oxon) [Ph.D Oxford University], GBSM, LTCL, ABSM, ALCM, Cert. Ed.


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd