*
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    


wELSH aREA

Draws & Results: 2025 Welsh Regional Championships

March 15 • Parc & Dare, Deiniolin Silver and Holywell claim the first titles of the weekend in Swansea


Stevenage

Draws & Results: 2025 London & Southern Counties Area Championships

March 15 • Cobham claims the first title of the Stevenage weekend.


cIVIC cENTRE

Result: 2025 Midlands Second Section Area Championship

March 15 • Carlton Brass claims the Second Section honours in Bedworth


Derek rENSHAW

Renshaw adds experience to MD role at Hade Edge

March 15 • Three time National winner Derek Renshaw brings his experience to the role of MD at Hade Edge Band.


Regent Hall Concerts - RAM Trumpet Ensembles

Friday 14 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Wigfield Brass Quintet

Friday 14 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 15 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Contest: Midlands Regional Brass Band Championships

Saturday 15 March • Bedworth Civic Hall, High Street CV12 8NF


Contest: Welsh Regional Championships

Saturday 15 March • Brangwn Hall, Guildhall Rd S, Swansea SA1 4PE


Port Sunlight Lyceum Brass

March 15 • Merseyside/Wirral based. We are a friendly 4th section band with regular jobs and socials throughout the year! Looking for a Principal Cornet, Cornets(position negotiable), Flugal and Trombone. All Players welcome! Instruments available to use!


The Marple Band

March 13 • Cornet ( positions negotiable),baritone and kit percussionist vacancies to join our fabulous band. We are a friendly ambitious 2nd Section band, starting an exciting new musical journey with our MD Nick Birch.


Rushden Town Band

March 12 • Back Row Cornet - due to a change in job, the band has a vacancy for a back row cornet. The band has a lovely atmosphere, and has regular jobs throughout the year as well as taking part in at least two contests.


Ian Holmes

BA (hons), PGDip (RCM), ARCM, ALCM
Conductor, piano accompanist and educator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd