180! Scottish Youth Bands get ready for showcase concerts

180 talented young players are in Perthshire working hard under tutors and MDs on the annual National Youth Brass Bands of Scotland course.

Players are already enjoying the musical atmosphere on the current course

Monday, 23 July 2018

The three ensembles that make up the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland organisation (NYBBS) are currently working hard on their summer course at a sun-baked Strathallan School in Perthshire.

The 180 talented performers are being put through their musical paces by a dedicated team of tutors and the trio of experienced MDs, preparing for their concert performances this coming weekend.

Highlights

One of the highlights of the week will be a collaboration working to gain Arts Awards (accredited by Trinity College London) with the Reserve and Children's bands, under conductors John Boax and Gordon Evans.

Meanwhile, the Senior Band will once again be led by Russell Gray, whilst the tartan carpet is being rolled out to welcome the irrepressible Richard Evans, NYBBS Conductor Emeritus, who will work with all three ensembles.

Concerts

The end of course concerts will see the Children's Band and the Reserve Band perform at Strathallan School (PH2 9EG) on Saturday 28th July at 1.30pm and 3.30pm respectively, whilst the Senior Band will be joined by the NYBBS 60th Anniversary Re-union Band at Albert Halls in Stirling (FK8 2QL) on Sunday 29th July at 2.00pm.

That concert will also see the world premiere of the winning march from the SBBA 'Young Composer Competition'.

Wonderful atmosphere

SBBA President Carrie Boax told 4BR: "We certainly don't do things by halves in Scotland, with 180 youngsters all eager to develop their playing talents. There is a wonderful atmosphere about these courses especially in seeing the players meet new friends and hear them grow in musical confidence.

It's all rounded off with three brilliant concerts — by not one but four great bands, so please come along and see just why Scotland continues to invest in developing the next generations of brass band players."

There is a wonderful atmosphere about these courses especially in seeing the players meet new friends and hear them grow in musical confidenceCarrie Boax

Principal players

The audition process has also seen the allocation of the principal positions in the Children's and Reserve Bands

Children's Band:

Cornet: Sophie Hall
Flugel: Rona Campbell
Horn: William Scott
Baritone: Charlie Boax
Euphonium: Angus Ritchie
Trombone: Elita McFarlane
Bass Trombone: Aileen Orr
Bass: Andrew Colville
Percussion: Finlay Damer

Reserve Band:

Soprano: Rachel Lee
Cornet: Olivia Beckett
Flugel: Fraser McLachlan
Horn: Faye McKee
Baritone: Alex Paterson
Euphonium: Natalie Kane
Trombone: Steven Spence
Bass Trombone: Mark Gammon
Bass: Laura Carter
Percussion: Hannah Davidson

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