The National Youth Band of Great Britain is currently rehearsing at Repton School in the Midlands, putting the final touches to the music they will perform at two concerts later this week at the end of their current Summer Course.

Two concerts

The two concerts will take place at Nottingham’s Albert Hall on Friday at 7.30pm and at the Victoria Hall in Stoke on Trent on Saturday, starting at 7.30pm.

It’s been great to hear the band playing so well. Bram brings the very best out of the band and the talented playersPhillip Biggs

Exceptional

Course administrator Phillip Biggs told 4BR that the standard of playing this year is exceptional with the youngsters enjoying every minute working with Bramwell Tovey. "It’s been great to hear the band playing so well. Bram brings the very best out of the band and the talented players."

Principal positions

This year’s principal positions were hard fought over in the traditional audition process, with Virtuosi GUS cornet player James Fountain once again taking the ‘end chair’.

Principal soprano is Ben Hirons, whilst Zoe Hancock leads the flugels. Jonathan Bates sits in the principal horn seat whilst Mike Kavanagh leads the baritone section. Nick Birch occupies the principal euphonium seat with Christopher Jones on solo trombone.

Principal bass trombone is James Blake, whilst Joshua Flynn leads the EB tubas and Owen Wallage the Bb tubas. Principal percussionist is Ashley Clegg.