42 young musicians recently cut short their Christmas festivities to get together at Truro High School for Girls for the annual four day residential course of the Cornish Youth Brass Band, under the baton of guest MD, Ian Porthouse.

Third visit

Ian was making a welcome third visit to lead the musicians aged between 12 to 19, as they worked intensively on a varied programme from the classic test-piece, 'Labour and Love', to more recent compositions, such as 'Shine as the Light' by Peter Graham and 'Fire in the Blood' by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.

World premiere

The course also saw the world premiere of a new work entitled, 'Characters', which Ian brought with him by the Austrian composer, Stefan Unterberger. A former graduate of the University Mozarteum in Salzburg, Stefan also plays horn with the current Austrian champion, Brass Band Oberosterreich.

In 2008 Ian also conducted the Cornish Youth Brass Band in the world premiere of 'Penlee', by Simon Dobson, which has gone on to be played all over the world, and has been chosen as the Championship Section set-work for the 2017 National Youth Championships of Great Britain.

It was also revealed that the Intermediate Section set-work for the event will be a commission from another talented young Cornish composer, with 'Smoke Sketches' by former band member Daniel Hall.

Ian was joined by his wife, Leanne, and son Harry, who became a honourary member of the cornet section.

Excellent teaching

"Cornwall continues to produce a never ending stream of excellent young players,"Ian told 4BR. "That's testament to the excellent community band teaching that takes place and the enthusiasm and dedication of the young players.

My thanks got to everyone involved in organising yet another memorable course, especially Secretary Philip Hunt and the outstanding team of tutors and conductors led by Darren Hawken and assisted by Aaron Harvey. It's always a joy to come down to work here."

Cornwall continues to produce a never ending stream of excellent young players. That's testament to the excellent community band teaching that takes place and the enthusiasm and dedication of the young playersIan Porthouse

Presentation

The end of course concert was held at St Michael's Church, Newquay, attended by the local Mayor and a large and appreciative audience. During the concert a presentation was made to Phillip Hunt, who was stepping down as Secretary of the Band after 13 years in the post.