*
banner

Junior RNCM Brass Band

Conductors: Les Neish, Jon Malaxetxebarria
RNCM Brass Band Festival
RNCM, Manchester
Saturday 28th January


The RNCM’s commitment to nurturing future generations of brass band players has been shown by the long term investment in its regular Saturday morning Junior RNCM programme.

It has become a successful cornerstone in creating one of a series of pathways for youngsters from all backgrounds to engage with specialist tutors such as Les Neish (tuba), Mark Bousie (euphonium) or Helen Varley (horn) to develop their talents.

The results are impressive – as was shown with this mid-afternoon concert.

Over 40 players aged between 11 and 18 took to the stage – encouragingly including a substantial section of low brass, much to the delight of Les Neish who directed alongside Jon Malaxetxebarria.

Classy

The programme included works former RNCM alumni, Jonathan Bates, its former Principal, Edward Gregson and Simon Dobson, as well as a classy bit of ‘Moon River’  Henry Mancini, led with assured confidence by flugel player Amelia Stewart.

‘Chichester Prelude’  blasted off proceedings (it was written to celebrate the achievements of British astronaut, Tim Peake), before neatly segueing into ‘Casper’s Ghost’,  composed for Foden’s Band for Brass in Concert in 2021, and which reflects on the rather sad back story of the friendly translucent spectre rather than his more well known fun packed antics.    

The band rounded off a super half hour or so with ‘Bust-Out Bridge’,  a cracker of Kick-Ass/Hit-Girl superhero action packed fun.

Kick-Ass

The cool sadness of Holly Golightly in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’  was evoked with ‘Moon River’  – ‘wider than a mile’ but crossed in considerable style by its young solo lead and her friends, before the ensemble tackled Edward Gregson’s ‘Prelude for an Occasion’. 

One of his earliest works for the brass band medium written in 1968, it still sounded as fresh as a musical daisy.

The band rounded off a super half hour or so with ‘Bust-Out Bridge’,  a cracker of Kick-Ass/Hit-Girl superhero action packed fun.

Iwan Fox   

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Regent Hall Concerts - Band of the Scots Guards Brass Ensemble

Friday 31 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London


Regent Hall Concerts - The Cory Band

Saturday 1 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band - Occasions Singers

Saturday 1 April • Loddon Hall, Twyford RG10 9JA


Boarshurst Silver Band - Dobcross Youth Band

Sunday 2 April • Boarshurst Band Club. Greenbridge Lane. Greenfield. Saddleworth OL3 7EW


Regent Hall Concerts - Queen Victoria's Consort

Monday 3 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

March 31 • Based in Rugby, the band requires a percussionist to join us for our varied schedule of events which this year includes a National Finals appearance before promotion to the Championship Section in 2024.


Trentham Brass Band

March 30 • Trentham Brass Band have a vacancy for a PRINCIPAL CORNET. We have recently gained promotion to the 3rd Section under the direction of our MD Shaun Farrington (Fodens Band). Rehearsals in our bandroom on Friday and Sunday.


Lindley Band

March 30 • 2nd or 3rd CORNET PLAYER required to complete our friendly team, under the leadership of our very experienced MD Alan Widdop. We enjoy a balance of good engagements and contests, and rehearse Monday and Wednesday nights, 8 to 10pm, in our own bandroom.


Julian Bright


Conductor, Compere/MC, Cornet Soloist


               

 © 2023 4barsrest.com Ltd