*
banner

Hillson support for NYBBGB Bursary scheme

Former player Richard Hillson has persuaded friends and family to help support his musical fund raising for the NYBBGB Bursary scheme

Richard hILLSON
  Richard Hillson and his father Brian at work on the recording

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain is set to benefit from the musical support of cornet player Richard Hillson.

Richard is the son of the acclaimed recording specialist Brian Hillson, and played with the band as a youngster before studying law and enjoying a successful career that took him away from banding for over 17 years as he worked in New York.

Love and inspirations

He told 4BR: "I still joke that I am the only person who broke his dad's heart by going to law school, although we both knew brass bands would also remain a huge source of love and inspiration."

It was during Covid that Richard returned to regular playing, first as a growing hobby and then something more serious.

"Covid was a tough time for everyone but if there was one silver lining for me, it was having the time to start playing again.

Since then, I have thrown myself back into music, trying to make up for lost time and I even founded a British-style brass band in Wilmington, North Carolina called Wilmington Virtuosi Brass, of which I am Principal Cornet."

Logical step

He added: "I play trumpet with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra and am delighted to be a Denis Wick Ambassador. This idea was just the next logical step to link back to a huge part of my musical life."

As Chair of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Alumni & Associates Committee, Richard had the idea of commissioning some new arrangements for cornet and piano to record as a solo album to raise funds for the NYBBGB Bursary Fund — something which has now come to fruition.

The process he revealed also saw him persuade his father to come out of retirement to provide his expertise too.

As a former member of the band, he has shown great dedication to his own cornet playing, following such a long break. It also proves that brass banding never leaves your musical heartMark Bromley, CEO, NYBBGB

Icing on the cake

"Stephen Bulla and Alan Williams beautifully arranged these pieces for this album and Elizabeth Loparits from University of North Carolina, Wilmington provides the excellent piano accompaniment.

The icing on the cake though was to be able to persuade my dad to come out of retirement to record his son.

It was a great lifetime experience and a very heartwarming moment for us both — although he made sure I wasn't allowed to get away with any playing that he felt wasn't up to scratch!"

The works performed are the classics of Ronald Binge's 'The Watermill' (never before written for piano accompaniment), 'Rusalka's Song to the Moon' and 'Gabriel's Oboe', as well as 'Growing up in Whittier' by John Williams, and 'Air Varie on Greensleeves'.

Thanks

Thanking Richard for his musical support, Mark Bromley, CEO of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain told 4BR: "We are delighted Richard has chosen our Bursary Fund as the recipient for his fundraising this year.

As a former member of the band, he has shown great dedication to his own cornet playing, following such a long break. It also proves that brass banding never leaves your musical heart.

We wish him all the best with his playing and his fundraising and will look forward to being able to award bursaries for 2025 with this support."

To support:

The link to the JustGiving page and each of the videos:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/richard-hillson-1727044134131?utm_term=w9Npr2mJQ

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhtMm0e-8CSBW8YE7zJN4wAajXek1nIMj

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhtMm0e-8CSBW8YE7zJN4wAajXek1nIMj&si=y46cvAP2mt_pfksp


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    


Brass in Concert

Just 10 and counting for Brass in Concert

October 18 • There are now just 10 tickets left before the sold-out signs are posted for the Brass in Concert Championships.


Jenkins

Armed Man comes to Swansea

October 18 • Sir Karl Jenkins will lead the Aldbourne Band in the Welsh premiere of his new brass band version of 'The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace' at the Brangwyn Hall on Sunday.


Tivoli

Dutch bands prepare for Gregson National challenges

October 18 • Works by Edward Gregson will test the competing bands at the Dutch National Championships in Utrecht.


Rochdale

Full day of contest action in Rochdale

October 18 • If you are in the area why not pop along to enjoy the competitive action at Wardle Academy


Regent Brass - Brett Baker

Friday 17 October • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), 275 Oxford Street, London WC1 2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Berkeley Brass

Friday 17 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Wigfield Brass Quintet

Friday 17 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Brass

Friday 17 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Oxted Brass Band - Tom Smith (Brighouse & Rastrick)

Saturday 18 October • St John’s, Hurst Green, Kent RH8 9EA


Hathersage Band

October 17 • BASS TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making, play a wide variety of music and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Crewe Brass

October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Simon Gresswell


Conductor, adjudicator, tutor, tuba specialist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd