The National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain brought its 10th anniversary course to an end with a superb concert at Repton School, that more than matched the standards set by its illustrious predecessors.
It also provided the climax to a week of high class tuition, fun and inspirational music making under the direction of Dr Nicholas Childs, Paul Lovatt-Cooper and an army of top class tutors.
Fantastic time
Being away from home (some for a first time) can be daunting experience for such young players (up to the age of 15), but the excellent pastoral care led by Gary & Monica Walczak meant that there was no need for anxious parents to worry.
There was no doubting that the talented youngsters once again enjoyed a fantastic time of it.
Young legends
PLC’s, 'Home of Legends', renamed 'Young Legends' for the occasion in recognition of the almost unlimited musical potential on show from the performers, was a cracking opener, with Malcolm Arnold's 'Little Suite for Brass No 1' to follow, delivered with balanced vibrancy and some fine individual contributions - none more so than from principal cornet, Adam Nield in the lilting 'Sicilliano'.
Stunning Moore
Guest soloist, trombonist Peter Moore, was making a return to the band where he was first a student at the age of eight.
A decade later and on the cusp of turning 18, the former BBC Young Musician of the Year has matured into the type of performer the latest intake can be truly inspired by.
He was on stunning form; leaving gaping mouths and wide eyed admiration in its wake – and not just from the audience.
A ripper of a performance of Langford's 'Rhapsody for Trombone', oozed musicality, whilst 'I'm Getting Sentimental Over You' was packed to the brim with lyricism which was as smooth as silk.
Arthur Pryor's 'Fantastic Polka' was just that – showing off a cast iron technique full of flair and tasteful finesse.
World premieres
The two enjoyable world premieres, bookended each half.
Jonathan Bates' 'In Old London Town' is based around the number 10.
In three continuous movements, it gave the players a variety of inventive musical experiences not always associated with a traditional brass band - including harmonic singing and body percussion.
Cleverly put together (bang on 10 minutes in length too) by a composer with a vivid, imaginative sound world, the piece was well received by players and audience alike.
Head of steam
Meanwhile, to close, Dan Price’s affectionate, if challenging tribute to one of the iconic locomotives of the 20th century - ‘Mallard 4468’, which was played with a splendid head of steam – expertly evoking an age when trains still had the ability to thrill with their beauty as well as their brawn.
Eric Ball's march 'Star Lake' also gave the second half a rousing start, whilst Brett Baker joined Peter Moore and the trombone section in the humorous ecumenical favourite 'I Will Follow Him'.
Angelic voices
With the presentation of the hard earned awards on offer to the ‘Section of the Week’, ‘The Betty Anderson Trophy’ and ‘The Outstanding Student’ (which went to a delighted tuba team, Helen Clark and Keiran Johnson respectively) made throughout the concert, Paul Lovatt-Cooper led his choir of ‘angels’ through a cracking rendition of the Beatles classic, 'Hey Jude' – sung with a balance that would have put many a fine adult choir to shame.
With Dan Price's piece bring the formalities to a close, an encore was demanded - which came in the form of 'The Mickey Mouse Club March', complete with audience participation.
And as always, everyone joined in, although it came as no surprise that the young players showed everyone else just how it should be done.
It was a cracking upbeat end to a cracking upbeat concert.
Band reunited
The band will continue its 10th anniversary celebrations in concert at The Great Northern Brass Arts Festival at The Bridgewater Hall in September.
Get along – it’s a treat not to be missed.
Malcolm Wood
