Ty Cerdd — Music Centre Wales, has announced plans to develop the next generation of young Welsh brass band players by helping to bridge the gap in playing standards sometimes found when youngsters look to progress towards playing with the National Youth Band of Wales from ensembles run under county council/local authority music provision.

Next step

Cut backs to peripatetic music services throughout Wales over the past few years have posed challenges for many county based youth ensembles and bands.

However, it is hoped that a new two day National Youth Training Band of Wales residential course run by Ty Cerdd will now enable players aged 11-16 and of around Grade 5 standard to take the next step towards eventually performing with the senior National Youth Brass Band of Wales.

Two day course

A spokesperson told 4BR: "Following an initial one day workshop held in partnership with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in October 2015, the NYTBW will expand its operations in 2017 to include a two day residential course.

During the weekend students will receive coaching from senior conservatoire students under the direction of composer/conductor, Tom Davoren, with the repertoire aimed at being fun but challenging and leading to an informal concert at the end of the course."

Successful 2016

The news follows another successful senior course that ran for a week at Habersdashers Monmouth School for Girls which also saw the band give two critically acclaimed concerts under Tom Davoren in Aberystwyth and Monmouth alongside guest soloist Glenn Van Looy.

Annual player awards were presented to trombonist Meggie Murphy from Cardiff, percussionist Megan Jackson form Vale of Glamorgan, solo euphonium player Thomas Dunn from Torfaen and principal cornet Emily Humphries also from Torfaen.

The two day Training Band course now gives youngsters a fantastic opportunity to test themselves as players as well as enjoy a taste of the great friendly camaraderie the National Youth Brass Band of Wales is famous forTom Davoren

Great experience

Tom told 4BR: "It was a great experience for both the players and myself — especially being able to work alongside a world-class musician such as Glenn Van Looy (above).

The establishment of the two day Training Band residential course now gives youngsters a fantastic opportunity to test themselves as players as well as enjoy a taste of the great friendly camaraderie the National Youth Brass Band of Wales is famous for."

More information

More information and application forms for the two day National Youth Training Band of Wales residential course are available from: http://tycerdd.org/youth-music/training-band

or by e-mailing: matthew.thistlewood@tycerdd.org