National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain

Conductors: Dr Nicholas Childs and Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Guest Soloist: David Childs
The Artrix Centre, Bromsgrove
Friday 27th July

This concert was the culmination of a week of total enjoyment for the players, conductors, tutors and support staff involved with the fourth course of the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain.  

In front of a packed audience of predominantly relatives in the intimate surroundings of the Artrix Centre, the concert got off to a fine start with the old favourite, the march, 'Bandology', with the musicians setting the standard for the rest of the evening.

Paul Lovatt-Cooper is the percussion tutor on the course and someone who is making a name for himself courtesy of his compositions.  Twelve months ago, the NCCB gave the World Premiere of his 'Haunted Halls' whilst this year, Paul’s new commission was entitled 'Dream Catchers'.

The title refers to the idea that all young aspiring brass players will want to be a part of the NCCB and the work is influenced by jazz with more than the odd nod to Pat Metheny within the music.  Lasting around 14 minutes it has been written as a test piece for youth bands, contains plenty of energetic rhythms with a key ingredient the solo passages that the players are required to perform front of stage.  This was something of a challenge to each and everyone of them but something they clearly relished and all came out with great credit for their efforts. On the evidence of this performance, this challenging work not only became an instant hit for members of the NCCB, but it will certainly prove a stern but enjoyable test on the youth contesting stage too.

Another piece that the band enjoyed getting its teeth into was music from the 1964 film, 'Zulu 'entitled the 'Battle of Rourke’s Drift 'and arranged by Roger Thorne.  With narration coming from Matthew Routley the band painted a dramatic picture of how 100 Welsh (with the odd Englishman in for the job) soldiers stood up against an onslaught of 4,000 Zulu warriors.

The band also got a chance to air their vocal chords courtesy of 'The Sound of Music' where once again their energy and enthusiasm was matched by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.

Guest soloist for the concert was David Childs.  David delivered another masterclass in the art of euphonium playing with five contrasting works:  'Varied Mood', 'Pantomine', the delightful 'A Little Prayer', 'Carrickfergus' and 'The Hot Canary' demonstrated David’s impeccable technique and sense of artistry that he seems to produce every time his lips touch his mouthpiece.

Peter Graham’s 'Academic Festive Fanfare' opened the second half in fine style and it was interesting to listen to Sir Malcolm Arnold’s 'Little Suite for Brass Band' – a work that had been included by their peers at the NYBBGB Easter Course earlier in the year. This was a performance that they can be immensely proud of.

Nicholas Childs praised all of the sections for their efforts during the week, but singled out the cornet section as his section of the week – in what was a close but competitive contest throughout the course.

The encore featured the children conducted by Paul Lovatt-Cooper leading the audience through the lyrics of the 'Mickey Mouse Club March' – something they enjoyed so much, they continued to play it as they finally went of the stage at the end of the concert.

Presentations were made to Principal Cornet, Daniel Walton who’d led the band superbly during the week, and trombonist Jonathan Hunt whose overall contribution to the whole course didn’t go unrecognised.

This concert was once again a real joy to be present at with a sense of affection in evidence between the players and tutors reflected in the playing from the band. Phrases used by the tutors included ‘A fantastic week’ and ‘their attitude and the way they’ve conducted themselves has been terrific’. This concert is only one part of their musical and personal development, but what development they gained.  The age of players is between 9 and 14 and its testament to their individual abilities that they continue to graduate from the NCBB into the NYBBGB as this course continues to be a stepping-stone for the cream of the youngest brass talent around to go onto greater things.

Malcolm Wood 

^back to top