The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) and the National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland (NJBB) have announced the participants who will part of their third 'Horizons' exchange programme.

Supported by Besson, it has become a highly successful link between the nation's youth ensembles underpinned by the shared ambition "to increase understanding and widen opportunity", offering what it states are, "transformative musical and cultural experiences".

Besson Horizons

The Besson Horizons exchange enables two young musicians from each country to participate in the other nation's National Youth Band summer course — broadening musical perspectives and deepening artistic development, alongside building friendships based on shared passions for brass band playing.

The 2026 cohort will see the NYBBGB represented by baritone player Matthew Hurst and cornetist, Stephanie Jonas, while Swiss youngsters Orienne Moren (flugel) and Tobias Ruedi (percussion) will represent the NJBB.

Representatives

Matthew and Stephanie will travel to Switzerland in July to take part in the 51st NJBB A-Band course, in Huttwil, led by Guest Conductor Jean-Francois Bobillier. The featured guest soloist is percussion virtuoso, Stephane Bertin.

Meanwhile, Orienne and Tobias will make the journey to the UK to take part in the NYBBGB 2026 Summer Course in August in Taunton led by Guest Conductor Lieutenant Colonel Lauren Petritz-Watts. The featured guest soloist is internationally acclaimed tuba player Sergio Carolino.

The four exchange musicians each bring impressive musical achievements and a clear passion for brass music. Matthew is a baritone player from East Lancashire who has progressed through eight NYBBGB courses, while Stephanie, from North Wales, is a former NYBBGB Principal Cornet.

Orienne is an accomplished flugel player with Brass Band Treize Etoiles and a prize-winning soloist at regional and national competitions, while Tobias is a versatile percussionist whose musical interests span brass banding, jazz and rock ensembles.

the Besson Horizons international musical exchange stands as a powerful example of how collaboration, shared values and musical excellence can inspire the next generation of brass musiciansspokesperson

Powerful collaboration

A spokesperson for the joint initiative told 4BR: "Now in its third year, the Besson Horizons international musical exchange stands as a powerful example of how collaboration, shared values and musical excellence can inspire the next generation of brass musicians.

The NYBBGB, the NJBB and Besson are proud to continue this partnership, strengthening international links and widening opportunities for young artists through music."