The first Irish Youth Brass Ensemble course recently came to a close with an outstanding concert given at the historic Pepper Cannister Church in Dublin.

The musicians aged 16 to 23 had enjoyed a full week of intensive sectionals and rehearsals hosted by the Royal Irish Academy of Musicand led by some of Ireland's leading brass and percussion players, including Gavin Barr, Conor O'Riordan, Charles Cavanagh, Michael Marshall and Stephen Crooks.

The band drew participants from all over Ireland, including Clonakilty, Waterford, Donegal, Limerick, Donegal and Dublin, who were also fortunate to work with tuba and tenor horn virtuosi Les Neish and Owen Farr in interactive workshops and demonstrations.

New venture

This course marks a brand new venture for the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras, with Allin Gray, IAYO Director telling 4BR: "We were delighted to help these young players in being part of what we hope will become a national brass band for island of Ireland.

The first edition has been really great and shown that there is a really bright future ahead. We look forward to seeing the ensemble grow and to work together with the band communities of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to make this into a national band that everyone can be proud of."

Enlightening

The Artistic Director was Brendan Breslin who added: "This has been an enlightening week for everyone concerned.

I could never have imagined the great achievements these young musicians have made within a week. It has reinforced the need for an ensemble and course such as this."

The course culminated in concert of varied repertoire including 'Amazing Grace', 'Elegie for Brass' and 'Glorifico Aeternum', for which the band received a standing ovation.

I could never have imagined the great achievements these young musicians have made within a week. It has reinforced the need for an ensemble and course such as thisArtistic Director, Brendan Breslin

Future

And with planning already started for the next course, Brendan told 4BR that he is looking forward to the future of an ambitious and inspirational new ensemble:

"My hope is that this course will run in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, ensuring an opportunity for brass and percussion instrumentalists to access the best musicians on the island, and from all over the world."