National Childrens Brass Band of Great Britain

Conductors: Dr Nicholas Childs and Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Guest Soloist: John Doyle
The Artrix Centre
Bromsgrove
Friday 28th July

A week of enjoyment and fun, not too mention total commitment and desire, came to a conclusion with this concert by the National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain conducted by Dr Nicholas Childs and Paul Lovatt-Cooper.  This was the third year that the NCBB had held a course with thirty-five participants this year (out of a band of over fifty) involved for the very first time.  With players from previous courses now part of the NYBBGB, this organization is very much a stepping-stone for the cream of the youngest brass talent around to go onto even greater things.

Working up a sweat in the sun - the NCBB put in the hard work

In front of a packed audience including mum's, dad's, auntie's, uncle's, grandma's and grandad's in the intimate surroundings of the Artrix Centre, the concert opened with John Williams' ‘Olympic Theme & Fanfare' that included some cracking fanfares from the cornets and trombones.  This piece laid the foundations for what was to come with the band producing a lovely warm, rounded sound throughout the concert.

The Beatles classic ‘Hey Jude' had been rearranged by Paul Lovatt-Cooper to enable the band to become a choir with brass accompaniment coming on-and-off stage from course tutors Brett Baker, Michael Dodd, John Doyle (on trumpet) Michelle Ibbotson and Mark Wilkinson, whilst Matthew Routley was the piano accompanist.  The tunefulness of the choir was matched by the enthusiasm and energy of Paul Lovatt-Cooper who had written the final piece to be played in the first half programme, entitled ‘Haunted Halls'.

This work was written with the NCBB and the venue of Bromsgrove School in mind, telling the story of the daily routines, not too mention the nighttime ‘ghostly' goings on with the children being pursued by ghosts and ghouls.  In darkness, this leads to mischievous laughter before daylight arrives and that sense of calmness is restored. 

‘Haunted Halls' is a clever piece of writing that will appeal to bands at all levels and clearly a hit with the NCBB.

The 'Golden Generation' open up with Goldcrest in the second half
 
The march ‘Goldcrest' opened up the second half in fine style including the singing of the chorus before another highlight of the evening, three movements from Peter Graham's ‘Windows of the World' – ‘Amazonia', ‘Rainforest' and ‘Drums of Thunder'.  In the opening ‘Amazonia', special mention must go the horns whose tone was beautiful on the ear. 

Music from the world of film is always an audience favorite and prior to the performance of ‘Mission Impossible' the band gave a brief demonstration of playing in 10/8 time. (More complex than you may think!)

Guest soloist for the concert was Black Dyke's John Doyle.  John played the two familiar standards for the flugel voice, ‘Children of Sanchez' in the first half and ‘Concerto D'Aranjeuz' in the second.  Speaking from the heart and on behalf of the staff, John acknowledged how much everybody had enjoyed working with the children during the week. His playing was exemplary.

Nicholas Childs praised all of the sections for their efforts during the course, but singled out the trombone section as his section of the week – and they showed why as they then led the rest of the band through ‘I Will Follow Him' from Sister Act.

The encore featured the children giving a reprise of what they'd been singing in assembly during the week; ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot', ‘O When the Saints' and ‘I Want to Sing', ‘I Want to Dance', conducted by Paul Lovatt-Cooper complete with audience participation.

Presentations were made to Principal Cornet, Adam Stockbridge who'd led the band superbly during the week, tutor John Doyle and trombonist Peter Moore whose overall contribution to the whole course didn't go unrecognised.

This concert was a real joy to be present at with a real sense of affection in evidence between the players and tutors reflected in the playing from the band. The whole week is clearly an inspirational experience for everybody involved and wouldn't be possible without the dedication of the conductors, tutors and house staff whose day-to-day experience with children is invaluable when running a course such as this. 

The band is certainly worthy of playing at a high profile event such as the Great Northern Brass Arts Festival. This course will benefit them in the long-term, not just from a playing perspective, but in other aspects of life too.  The children can be proud of their achievements not just in this concert, but also from what they've learnt during the week about themselves.  Yes, they'll have gone home exhausted, but on a high with the incentive to become better players and individuals.

We live in an age when it is easier to criticise children for their wrong doings instead of giving them encouragement and praise for putting their energies into something they clearly enjoy. We also live in an age where children believe they are capable of doing anything and everything and throughout the week, let alone, this concert, they showed that there is plenty to shout about for the future of brass bands in the UK.  It's just a pity that outside banding media circles, the National Children's Brass Band and everyone involved won't get the praise it deserves.

Malcolm Wood

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