National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand - Brilliant Youth 2008 in concert
1-Feb-2008Prince Edward Auditorium, Wanganui
Thursday 24th January
Musical Director: Kevin Moseley
Guest Soloist: Colin Clark
The National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand concert was held at The Prince Edward Auditorium, Wanganui Collegiate, Thursday, January 24.
In the past six months Wanganui has been treated to some of New Zealand’s finest brass musicians with the National Brass Band of New Zealand in concert in September 2007, and now the rising stars of the National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand.
This group of players (aged 14 - 23) were selected from around NZ and trained at Wanganui’s Collegiate for five days under the very experienced and capable leadership of their Conductor Mr Kevin Moseley from Marlborough District Brass.
Last Thursday saw their first public performance for 2008. Although a hint of first night nerves may have been evident, the true enthusiasm and passion showed through, giving an appreciative Wanganui audience a mature and professional performance.
National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand’s programme was varied throughout featuring many of its young talented soloists: Slade Hocking on Cornet, Percussionists Aimee Beaumont and Jessica Hix and Wanganui’s Ian O’Malley on Euphonium.
Major works for this group included Phillip Sparke’s Land of the White Cloud, Berlioz’s The Corsair and Wagner’s Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral. Each one of these major works provided new challenges, however, the band overcame these and gave the audience a very technically sound and musically mature performance.
Amongst the evenings programme the band played energising marches such as Simoraine and The Mid West March showing off the band’s overall technique. Balancing this fistful of notes with beautiful melodic phrasing and sounds achieved in their hymn tune playing of Melita and The Reason.
The second half of the programme saw the band change from the more formal traditional brass band music and smart evening dress uniforms to a more relaxed style of music and dress of collar and tie. Band members wore a shirt in the colour of their own choice adding a relaxed feel to the more laid back entertaining half.
During this half Caroline Blackmore and David Moseley cast their instruments aside to give outstanding vocal performances of It’s Only a Paper Moon and Ain’t It a Kick in the Head. A small competition arose within the band during Mr Lear’s Carnival where each section got to show off and put its best foot forward.
The highlight for me was this year’s guest artist Colin Clark. His soprano playing was inspirational, showing true professionalism and virtuosity with beautiful clear tone and impeccable technique.
The professionalism of the band was evident and this was helped by Compere Paul van Uden who had the audience in the palm of his hand.
As a former member of National Youth Brass Bands of New Zealand, I am very proud of what is achieving, and feel that the future of the Brass Band movement in New Zealand is going to be well served with these rising young stars.
Clyde Dixon
