The well defined pathway of musical excellence within the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain organisation now ensures that around 60% of its players start off in the National Children's Band.
The annual summer course in Derbyshire attracts players from all over the UK, and in recent years has enjoyed an added bonus (seven weeks after the course ends) of an appearance at this event.
Impressive
Despite the limited rehearsal time, it was as if the players had simply never been away as they produced an enjoyable performance that more than matched their impressive end of course concert two months before.
Philip Sparke's 'Concert Prelude' was a vibrant opener, followed by an impressive account of Kevin Houbon's descriptive 'Lake of the Moon'.
The featured guest soloist was Brett Baker, who displayed a liquidity of timbre that soothed like a balm on the ears in 'Autumn Leaves'.
Centrepiece
The centrepiece was a reprise of the impressive new commission for the 2015 course from Jonathan Bates, entitled 'The Council of the Gods'.
Inspired by Greek mythology, the four movement work tested both skills and stamina to their limits, although the youngsters displayed very little rustiness in technique or control, revelling in the accessible writing from a composer who also continues to grow in mature stature.
Breather
Mindful of potentially tired lips, Professor Childs took the opportunity to give the players a breather with an informal chat with some of his young stars, before they closed with a spirited account of Ray Farr's colourfully magpie-like 'Adventures in Brass'.
After a short break the recent recipient of the Mortimer Medal, Lee Rigg, led players from numerous primary schools in the Wardle area of Rochdale to perform a programme choreographed and performed entirely from memory.
Wonderful stuff
It was wonderful stuff - all the more so in that the quality heard never once fell below the superb levels of presentation - from 'Concert Overture' and 'Slaidburn' to 'Summer Romance', 'Fooling About' and 'When the Saints' - all topped off with 'Born to be Wild'.
Malcolm Wood
