Professor Edward Gregson will be celebrating his 65th birthday this weekend by preparing the National Youth Band of Wales for its annual concerts in Aberystwyth and Swansea.

Sunday best

Professor Gregson wasn’t able to join the course at Trinity College in Carmarthen until Sunday, but in his absence, 'conductor elect', Dr Nicholas Childs, has enthusiastically rehearsed the band in preparation for the forthcoming concerts, aided by a talented group of tutors.

Formative years

Edward Gregson was the band’s original conductor on its inaugural course in 1982, and was responsible for establishing the organisation’s musical foundations in its formative years – including the start of a long standing commitment to promoting new music.

Now the band’s President he had no hesitation in accepting an invitation to take this year’s course, when approached by the band’s administrator, Keith Griffin.

Edward Gregson was the band’s original conductor on its inaugural course in 1982, and was responsible for establishing the organisation’s musical foundations in its formative years4BR

Conductor elect

However, due to a long-standing commitment, he was unable to be present for the entire course, so Nicholas Childs, who was elected as the band’s resident conductor for the next ten years, succeeding his brother Robert, welcomed the opportunity to take the band ahead of his first official course in 2011.

Guest artist

This year’s guest artist is one of the band’s finest former alumni, Gareth Small, the current Principal Trumpet of the Halle Orchestra, and who was principal cornet of the band when they made a ground breaking visit to Norway in 1990.

Swansea lad

Gareth will perform the Arutiunian Trumpet Concerto, whilst the band will also honour its appearance in Swansea with a performance of one of the brass band movement’s iconic test pieces, 'Life Divine', written by Swansea’s finest brass band composers – Cyril Jenkins.

The music of Mervyn Burtch, who has strong compositional links to the band from its very first course, will be featured with a performance of his newly commissioned 'Fanfare Overture', whilst Professor Gregson’s own iconic works, 'Variations on Laudate Dominum' and 'An Age of Kings' will also be performed.

Concerts

Tickets for the concerts at Aberystwyth University on Monday 26th July (8.00pm) and Brangwyn Hall, Swansea on Tuesday 27th July (7.30pm) are available on the door and there is free admission for school children when accompanied by an adult.