The finals beats of preparation have been put in place ahead of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) bi-annual Young Conductors' Competition on Saturday 17th January.

Ammal Bhatia, Megan Bousfield, Tommy Tynan and Joey Wong will head to Tidworth Garrison Theatre in Wiltshire on Saturday 17th January with the aim to become the third winner of the prestigious event supported by British Army Music.

This year's competition attracted 19 global entrants up to the age of 30, reflecting its growing international reach and prestige. The event is free to attend, with over 120 tickets already sold to see the four finalists in action.

Finalists

Ammal Bhatia, aged 26, is currently completing a Master's in Conducting at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He has conducted the Ulster Orchestra and Chineke! Orchestra, and will make debuts with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

25 year old Megan Bousfield is a Glasgow-based conductor and trumpet player whose fast-rising career includes being Musical Director of the 50-strong Edinburgh University Brass Band.

Tommy Tynan is the Solo Eb tuba player with Black Dyke Band. The 28 year old has wide brass band playing experience and is a performance artist for Randefalk Music and the brass band transcriber of composer Ricardo Molla.

Joey Wong, aged 22, is an active and passionate educator, working as a peripatetic brass teacher within Liverpool's Music Service. He has an emerging profile in brass and wind ensembles and is the Musical Director of YBS (Poynton) Band and was the youngest semi finalist of the 2025 Brass Band Conductors' Association competition. .

Each will take to the podium to rehearse one of four iconic brass band works with a joint ensemble of players from the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and British Army Music in front of a live audience4BR

Brass band works

Each will take to the podium to rehearse one of four iconic brass band works with a joint ensemble of players from the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and British Army Music in front of a live audience.

The judges are Major Craig Bywater (Chief Instructor at the Royal Military School of Music) and Dr Robert Childs (NYBBGB Director of Artistic Planning).

Not only will the winner claim the title but will also be appointed Assistant Conductor for the NYBBGB summer course and concert 2026, working alongside Lieutenant Colonel Lauren Petritz-Watts and conducting at the course concert in Bath on 8th August.

Competition Final:

NYBBGB Young Conductors' Competition 2026 Live Final
Saturday 17th January 2026
10.00am — 2.30pm
Tidworth Garrison Theatre, Tidworth, Wiltshire (SP9 7EP)

Tickets: Free
Booking required: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1967543299975