*
banner

National Youth Band to celebrate ethos in music

The Easter Concert of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain will celebrate 70 years of history as well as the commitment to diversity and inclusion.

nybbgb
  The organisation will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2022

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Youth Band has announced details of its end of Easter Course concert which will take place at Huddersfield Town Hall on Saturday 16th April (7.00pm).

The band will be led by the Dutch conductor Irene Anda and will feature guest soloist, Norwegian trombone star Grethe Tonheim.

Celebration

The theme throughout 2022 will be of 'celebration' of the traditions that have marked 70 years of music making as well as the positive approach by the organisation to issues of gender and ethnicity.

Irene Anda is a Bachelor of Music who studied at Augsburg University as well as at Rogaland Musikkonservatorium. In 2013 she was the conductor of the European Youth Brass Band during the festival event in Oslo.

For more than 20 years, Grethe Tonheim was the solo trombone of Eikanger-Bjørsvik and has taught at the acclaimed Manger Folkehogskule as well as performing with both the Bergen Philharmonic and the Oslo Symphony Orchestras.

She will perform a number works, including 'Icicles' composed by fellow Norwegian Anne-Grete Preus.

Inclusivity and diversity

The concert programme echoes the ethos of inclusivity and diversity — with works from the pen of the founder Dr Denis Wright to some from the movement's latest new talent. A composition by Irene Anda's musical mentor Maurice Hamers is also featured.

Dr Robert Childs' fine arrangement of William Grant Still's 'In Memoriam' will provide an emotive sense of reflection of the sacrifice of black American soldiers in defence of freedom at a time when basic freedoms were denied to them at home.

When it was performed in 1944, the celebrated New York Times critic Olin Downes remarked on its powerful 'simplicity and feeling, without affectation or attitudinizing'.

Incredible women

Paul Saggers new commission 'The Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole' also celebrates the incredible work of the Jamaican born nurse who famously converted a hotel into a hospital during the Crimean war in the 1850s.

There is also a musical celebration of Maude Bonney, better known as Lores Bonney, who single-handedly piloted her biplane (without wireless) from Australia to England in 1933. 'Flight' has been written by Australian composer Louisa Trewartha.

Major works by some of the most celebrated compositional figures will also be performed — including Gilbert Vinter's 'Spectrum' and Peter Graham 'Dynasty'.

The concert programme echoes the ethos of inclusivity and diversity — with works from the pen of the founder Dr Denis Wright to some from the movement's latest new talent4BR

Programme:

Guest Conductor Irene Anda
Guest Soloist: Grethe Tonheim

Fanfare (Denis Wright)
Die Alpen (Maurice Hamers)
William Grant Still: In Memoriam

The Eternal Quest (Ray Steadman-Allen)
Soloist: Grethe Tonheim

Spectrum (Gilbert Vinter)

Interval


In Many Lands: The Adventures of Mrs. Seacole (Paul Saggers)
Flight (Louisa Trewartha)

Icicles: (Anne-Grete Preus)
Soloist: Grethe Tonheim

White Knuckle Ride (Philip Wilby)
Soloist: Grethe Tonheim

Dynasty (Peter Graham)

https://tickets.kirklees.gov.uk/calendar/2022-04-16

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    


Desford

Small drop in Midlands Area entrants

February 26 • 69 bands will compete at the Midlands Regional Championships over two weekends in March.


Perth

Positive uptake for Scottish title challenges

February 26 • There will be two full days of competitive and non-competitive music making at the 2026 Scottish Championship in Perth.


Riverside

Line-ups for North of England Area confirmed

February 26 • 42 bands will take to the stage in Durham to try and claim their places at London and Cheltenham later in the year.


pODCAST

4BR Review — Episode 16

February 26 • Iwan and Chris looked forward to the 2026 Regional Championships — the issues, music and tips for victory, as well as provide their views on new CD releases, book, LPs, concerts and events to go to...


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 1 March • St. Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street. London SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - London Central Fellowship Band

Saturday 7 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Tuesday 10 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Banks Brass Band

February 25 • It's not too late to join Banks Brass Band, a friendly non-contesting band near Southport. All players welcome particularly euphoniums, trombones and basses. Rehearsals: Mondays 8.00-9.30pm in the Hub@Banks community centre, PR9 8BL


Chinnor Silver

February 23 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting on MONDAY 2nd at 11am in our bandroom.. Join us for a relaxed friendly blow with coffee and cake as an added bonus.. Playing with us wont impact your No1 band so come along for a blow.


St Albans Brass Band

February 19 • TUNED PERCUSSION PLAYER Wanted. St Albans Band. Rehearsals Wednesdays 8 to 10pm. Varied programme of concerts, gigs and civic events throughout the year. Friendly, welcoming brass band. Experienced players and returners welcome. www.stalbansband.co.uk


Howard J Evans

MA (Dist), Mus.B (hons), ARCM (hons), LRAM, LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, composer, arranger, tutor and pianist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd