National Youth Bands of Scotland

Conductors: Richard Evans, Geoffrey Brand, Gordon Evans, John Boax
St Andrews
Saturday 4th August

St. Andrews is the place to be in the first weekend in August. As well as the constant stream of tourists from all over the world, this year, there was also the added attraction of the Women’s British Open Golf Championships, making it even more difficult than usual to get parked in the ‘Auld Grey Toon’. 

Another reason for the congestion was the annual concert by the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS), which had gathered there on the previous Monday under the direction of Richard Evans, with an old friend also being welcomed back in the shape of Geoffrey Brand, a previous conductor of the band for 21 years from 1971. There is, of course, great excitement surrounding the NYBBS these days, with a trip to Japan planned to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2008, and this enthusiasm was evident in the demeanour and the performances of all concerned, none more so than in John Williams’ 'Summon the Heroes', which got the Saturday evening concert underway. 

The 150th anniversary of Elgar’s birth has resulted in performances of the great English composer’s works throughout the musical world, and NYBBS was to be no exception. Richard Evans chose the overture 'Cockaigne' (In London Town) in the transcription by Derek Ashmore, which would present a challenge to bands of any standard. However, Ian Culross on solo cornet, Scott Forest on soprano and Richard Kidd on euphonium were amongst those that rose to the challenge and, although the overture is quite extended in length, the band remained on consistent form for its duration. Not content with one piece of Elgar, the audience was also afforded the brief pleasure of a performance of William Rimmer’s arrangement of 'Salut d’Amour'.

One criticism that has been levelled against the NYBBS in recent years is the overtly light nature of its programmes, which hasn’t always sat well with some former members (this writer included), who were reared on more serious fare. One of the most important functions of any national youth band is to provide its players with an opportunity to perform brass band music that they may not have a chance to play in their own school, county or community bands, while, of course, maintaining a balance between education and entertainment. Happily, that equilibrium appears to have been achieved in the past couple of courses and the members of the NYBBS (and the large and faithful audience) have been subjected to a healthy mix of brass band classics and lighter music to suit all tastes. The band also has an extremely proud history in terms of commissioned works and the very first of these was to provide one of the evening’s real highlights. 

Malcolm Arnold’s 'Little Suite for Brass' was written for the NYBBS in 1963 and has enjoyed many fine performances in the 44 years since, many of which were conducted by Geoffrey Brand, who clearly still has a great affinity with the music and the composer. Leading the band once again through the Arnold work, Geoffrey Brand imposed a tremendous feeling of discipline in the performance, with particular attention being paid to quiet dynamics proving just how magical it can be when over 80 brass players play a true pianissimo. 

Montagues and Capulets from Prokofiev’s 'Romeo and Juliet', and 'Jupiter' from Holst’s 'The Planets' closed the first half with Richard Evans back at the helm, both pieces being tackled with the type of enthusiasm reserved for real favourites of the classical repertoire.

Following an extended interval, during which those of us who had performed in the band in the past (many during Geoffrey Brand’s tenure) had a chance to catch up with old friends and former colleagues, Geoffrey Brand returned to the podium to lead a memorable performance of Léon Boëllmann’s 'Suite Gothique', in Eric Ball’s arrangement. Rarely can this young band have performed with such control in what is a truly beautiful work, although the one moment when the cornets and basses briefly became detached during the closing 'Toccata' resulted in quick intervention from the conductor, purely by the use of his eyes (band members used to call it being ‘Geoffreyed’, the wounds are still there over a quarter of a century later!) That aside, it was a lovely performance that contained very sensitive solo work from Ian Culross and from Rebecca Caldwell on flugel, all of which was greatly appreciated by the large audience.

At this point in the proceedings, presentations were made to solo contest winner, Ailsa Russell (horn) from Carnoustie and the week’s Best Student, Paula Leslie (tuba) from Aberdeen. Geoffrey Brand and the President of the Scottish Amateur Music Association, Brad Catto (a former director of NYBBS) were also given presentations by Course Director, Neil Cross, recognising their outstanding contributions to the band.

The major work in the second half was George Lloyd’s 'Diversions on a Bass Theme', which may have benefited from an extra couple of days’ rehearsal, although there was much to commend in playing of the lower band.

Ted Tarling’s arrangement of 'Anything Goes' and Brodsky’s 'I’ll Walk With God' found the NYBBS on impressive form, and the closing 'Symphonic Dances' from 'West Side Story' was full of energy and colour, providing a fitting conclusion to an excellent evening of entertainment and achievement.

One last treat - a performance of the first piece ever performed by the NYBBS in 1958, Sousa’s march, 'El Capitan', and the 2007 course was over.

Earlier in the day, the Younger Hall of St. Andrew’s University resounded to the NYBBS Reserve Band and, for the first time in over two decades, the Training Band, bringing the total number of students to over 170 for the week.

The 70-strong Reserve Band got its concert underway with Peter Graham’s 'Summon the Dragon', which it followed with the 'Thunderbirds' theme and Joseph Turrin’s 'Hymn for Diana', in which the band showed great maturity under the baton of long-standing conductor, John Boax. Adrian Drover’s arrangement of 'Lord of the Dance' ended the first segment of the concert, allowing Gordon Evans’ Training Band to take the stage.

In a most encouraging concert, the band opened with 'Brass Ablaze' and 'Pow Wow', before the audience was given a real treat by principal cornet, Christian Pomeroy (winner of the prize for best student), who performed Jeremiah Clarke’s 'Trumpet Voluntary' with some aplomb. Bruce Fraser’s 'Caribbean Holiday' and the final movement of Gareth Key’s 'Three Celtic Dances' closed the Training band’s excellent showcase, during which a presentation was also made to the winner of the band’s solo contest, tubist Craig Knight.

The Reserve Band and John Boax completed the afternoon concert with an energetic performance of the 'Cortege from Mlada', music from 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and an enthusiastic rendition of Duke Ellington’s 'Caravan', which featured an exuberant trombone section (during the week, trombonist Joe Walters of Carnoustie had won the solo contest) and a great percussion team.

Exciting times are ahead for the NYBBS and with record numbers attending, all elements on their best form for years and the prospect of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan less than 12 months away, the future looks brighter than ever. 

Kenneth Crookston

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