August 2008 has seen the inaugural course of the Nordrhein Westfallen Youth Brass Band held in the beautiful setting of Bad Fredeburg in the Sauerland. The brainchild of Music Director, Martin Schädlich, the band was formed from young brass players between the ages of 14 and 30 from all over North West Germany, Holland and Belgium.
Growth
The growth in interest for the 'British style' brass band is gaining momentum throughout Germany, capitalizing on an existing fine tradition of brass playing but opening up a new cultural world.
The NRW YBB was tutored over the four day course by Martin Schädlich (cornets), Peter Heijnen from Maastricht (percussion) and Chris Houlding (low brass) former professional conductor with Yorkshire Imperial, Whitburn, Stocksbridge, now Professor of Trombone and Brass Ensemble at the Folkwang Hochschule, Essen.
Popular Programme
The programme featured a selection of popular items including Andy Duncan's fine arrangement of James Horner's classic Braveheart to original works by Philip Sparke and Kenneth Hesketh. Soloists all demonstrated confidence and musicality but special mention must go to flugel hornist, Ansgar Mues, who lead the the band in the fully memorized and choreographed finale, Riverdance and then proceeded to give a flawless encore in the form of Ray Farr's individual setting of Over the Rainbow.
Support
With the support of York Brass and Adams Musical Instruments, the band gave four concerts in Bad Fredeburg, Rhede, Hasslinghausen and Remscheid and was additonally supported by the Landesverband der Musikschulen NRW and Musikschule Bocholt-Isselburg-Rhede.
Given the preference for trumpets and rotary valve tubas in Germany, the young players soon got to grips with the 'British style' basses and cornets and by the end of the period were producing a most homogenous, symphonic sound. Finally, congratulations must go to Martin Schädlich, whose fine direction, energy and musicianship will undoubtedly ensure the continued development of this project for many years to come.
