The National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain brought its twelfth course to an end with this fine concert; the 58-strong ensemble performing a thoroughly demanding programme with startling maturity.

It also provided the climax to a week of inspirational teaching (balanced by plenty of fun and games) under the direction of Prof Nicholas Childs and Monica Walczak aided by an army of top class tutors.

The excellent pastoral care led by Gary and Monica Walczak also meant that there was no need for anxious parents to worry - so much so that one mother informed the Black Dyke MD that they had received just the one text message all week!

Energetic

Philip Sparke's 'Concert Prelude' was an energetic opener, followed by a well-judged rendition of Kevin Houben's evocative 'Lake of the Moon'.

Inspired by the travels of the Aztecs as they headed south looking for a new home, the band excelled with the eclectic rhythmic structures - all underpinned by superb percussion contributions throughout: The solemn Adagio divoto in particular was delivered with a sense of mystical reverence.

Superb form

Tenor horn virtuoso Owen Farr was on superb form as guest soloist during his four pieces either side of the interval - from the splendid precision of the 'Finale’ from Haydn's 'Cello Concerto' and considered lyricism of 'Autumn Leaves' to the fun packed 'Carnival of Venice' (with neat tutor accompaniment) and the ensemble fizz of Roy Newsome's 'Hat-Trick'.

Centrepiece

The first half centrepiece was the première of Jonathan Bates' Greek mythology inspired, 'The Council of the Gods'.

The four movement work (around thirteen minutes in length) is certainly the most substantial and challenging he has written in his burgeoning compositional career - revealing a growing maturity of structure and form.

It certainly pushed the ensemble to their limits - but without recourse to lightweight ‘filler’ as it asked searching questions of technique and musicality of both individuals and sections alike.  It is a work that should enjoy a lasting, contesting legacy. 

Top and tailed

The second half was top-and-tailed with PLC's 'Pound the Streets' and Ray Farr's 'Adventures in Brass' - both delivered with energy and vigour, whilst the traditional ‘choral’ spotlight this time came in a medley of songs under the leadership of Monica Walczak.

With the presentation of deserved awards to the ‘Section of the Week’, ‘Betty Anderson Trophy’ and ‘Outstanding Student’ (which went to a delighted cornet team, Grace Jeffers and Ryan Flavelle respectively), along with acknowledgement of the contribution principal cornet, Will Thomas made throughout, the concert ended as it had begun, in upbeat fashion.

Favourite week

The circus march, 'Midwest' - thankfully taken at a sensible breakneck tempo rather than a kamikaze sprint, left everyone with a real spring in their step.

Professor Nicholas Childs had declared during the concert and on BBC radio during the course that this was his favourite musical week of the year. 

Once again you could hear why. 

Malcolm Wood