*
banner

BBC announces Young Brass Award finalists

The 2015 BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award finalists have been announced.

radio 2 young brass
 

Adam Bokaris, David Gillson, Benjamin Goldscheider and Grant Jameson will compete in the final of the 2015 BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester next month.

Talented

The talented quartet were announced on a special programme broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Thursday evening by Frank Renton.

Missing out

With the standard of playing being exceptionally high, it meant that trumpeter, Aaron Akugbo, tenor horn player, Siobhan Bates, Tredegar's baritone player, Jack Lapthorn, narrowly missed out on a finals berth along with Fairey's bass trombone player, Joshua Cirtina.

Each of the semi finalists recorded up to ten minutes of music for the judges, Jamie Prophet & Stephen Roberts to assess in January where they were accompanied by Brighouse & Rastrick under conductor Alan Morrison.

Three of a kind

The final will showcase three different instrumentalists: Benjamin Goldscheider, 17, plays french horn, whilst David Gillson, who has reached the final for the second year in a row, is a cornet student at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester in addition to playing with the Fairey Band.

Flowers', euphonium star, American, Grant Jameson, has also made it to the final for the second successive year, with another euphonium player, Australian, Adam Bokaris, who plays with Drighlington, named as the fourth finalist.

Eclectic mix

There was a variety of repertoire showcased by the contenders, with Benjamin opting for part of Weber's 'Horn Concerto' whilst David Gillson included Peter Meechan's 'Song' from his Concerto, 'Milestone'.

Grant Jameson opted to include Paganini's 'Carnival of Venice' and a composition by his brother, Joshua, with Adam Bokaris choosing more music from Peter Meechan for his challenge, 'Harry's Song' from his 'Origins Concerto'.

In the footsteps

The winner of the award, which is now in its eleventh year, will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ross Knight, Stephen Sykes, Katrina Marzella, Lewis Musson, Ben Thomson, Matthew White, Josiah Walters and Matilda Lloyd.

The final, to be broadcast live on March 27th, will be judged by a panel of as yet unnamed judges and will be presented by Ken Bruce with Frank Renton conducting Grimethorpe Colliery Band.

Tickets

Tickets for the final are free and available from the RNCM box office or via www.bbc.co.uk/­youngbrassaward

'The 2015 BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award winner will come from one of three different instrumentalists with three playing in a Championship Section Band'4BR

Listen to semi final

To listen to the eight semi finalists, click on the link below which should be online for around thirty days:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b051r6cc

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    


NYBBGB

Last call for NYBBGB Conducting Competition

October 31 • The last bar is closing for the 2025 NYBBGB Conducting Competition — as 1st November looms for entries.


Desford Band

Rankings update: October

October 31 • Desford storm back into top ten as five-way battle for world number one goes down to the wire


Tivoli

Final countdown for Dutch National Championships

October 31 • 4BR will be heading to Utrecht to bring live comments on the Dutch National Championships.


siddis

Wobplay to broadcast SIDDIS entertainment

October 31 • Norwegian bands are putting the final touches to their preparations ahead of their entertainment challenges in Stavanger this weekend.


Regent Hall Concerts - Paddington Brass

Friday 31 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

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


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 2 November • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street. SE10 9BJ SE10 9BJ


Dobcross Silver Band - Elland Silver Band

Sunday 2 November • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 7 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Drighlington Band

October 30 • Drighlington Band are looking for the following players for a full compliment: . . - Front Row Cornet . - Euph or Baritone or Trombone (we are flexible!) . - Percussion (Kit or tuned)


Hathersage Band

October 30 • BACK ROW CORNET. 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?


Delph Band

October 30 • The Band are always looking for talented players to join them and are currently looking to fill the following positions - Tutti Cornet, Eb Bass and Percussion.. . We rehearse Mondays and Wednesdays 8-10pm at Delph Band Club.


Jason M Smith


Band Trainer (Contest Preparation), Conductor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd