The talented young players of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain are currently enjoying being put through their musical paces with a touch of American military precision.
President's Own
The 2014 cohort is being directed at Wymondham College in Norfolk by guest conductor, Major Michelle Rakers (above) of ‘The President’s Own’ United States Marine Band, and will be joined later this week by guest soloist, Staff Sgt Amy McCabe, who is the also the virtuosi trumpet/cornet player of the prestigious ensemble.
Although there are no early morning bugle calls required to get the eager young players out of their beds and to rehearsals, they are being supported by an impressive array of ‘civilian’ help in the form of tutors, Phillip McCann, Tracey Redfearn, Elaine Williams, Helen Williams, Glyn Williams, Christopher Jeans, Philip Goodwin, Richard White and John Maines.
Principals
The principal positions within the band were allocated to:
Principal Cornet and Leader: Illiam Quane
Soprano Cornet: Jack Wilson
Flugel: Cecilia Carlisle
Tenor Horn: Emily Evans
Baritone: Michael Cavanagh
Euphonium: Daniel Morgan
Trombone: Isobel Daws
Bass Trombone: Edward Curtis
Eb Bass: Tom Steer
Bb Bass: Tommy Tynan
Percussion: Francesca Lombardelli
Opportunity
With NYBBGB Artistic Director Bramwell Tovey, making his conducting debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, the opportunity arose this year for an exciting new collaboration to be set up with Major Rakers, as Course Administrator Philip Biggs told 4BR.
"Bramwell Tovey is always keen to explore new musical avenues, and with Major Rakers and Staff Sgt Amy McCabe, this is one of the most exciting possible," he said.
"Bram is in close touch with the course on a daily basis and will be conducting the band when it appears at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester in September, but we are delighted to welcome our prestigious musical guests and everyone is having a wonderful time learning so much from them."
we are delighted to welcome our prestigious musical guests and everyone is having a wonderful time learning so much from themCourse Administrator Philip Biggs
Concerts
This course celebrates the 62nd anniversary this year, with concerts on Friday 8th August (7.30pm) at Beccles Church in Suffolk and again on Saturday 9th August (7.30pm) at Regent Hall, London.
Music
The programme of music includes, ‘California Legend’ (Broughton); ‘Excursions for Cornet and Brass Band’ (Broughton); ‘Metropolis 1927’ (Graham); ‘Tombeau — (dedicated to Maurice Murphy) for Cornet and Brass Band’ (Howarth); ‘A Downland Suite’ (Ireland), ‘Nimrod’ (Elgar arr Ball), ‘The Cossack’ (Rimmer), ‘Stars and Stripes Forever’ (Sousa); Harmony Music (Sparke) and ‘Spectrum’ (Vinter).
