Black Dyke baritone star Katrina Marzella recently returned from a week-long tour of Switzerland, where she has enjoyed a wonderful time with the young players of the National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland

Familiar faces

Katrina told 4BR: "Immediately after the conclusion of the English Nationals, I flew to Switzerland to meet up with the band and music staff.

It was great to see some familiar faces in conductors Philippe and Michael Bach, as well as Harmen Vanhoorne and fellow Brit Les Neish. I also enjoyed meeting the new music staff and players – everyone was very welcoming."

Impressed

She added: "I was tutoring the euphonium and baritone players of the National Youth Band. The organisation has both a main ‘A’ Band and a ‘B’ Band for aspiring players. I was truly impressed by the standard of music making I heard; not only from my section but from the soloists and band as a whole."

Solo opportunity

Katrina certainly enjoyed the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the band.

"I was the guest soloist with the B Band, which was conducted by Swiss conductor Reto Näf and performed a piece written especially for me by Philip Sparke, called ‘Scaramouche’ which is structured in a similar way to his popular solos ‘Pantomime’ and ‘Harlequin’.

I also performed ‘Carrickfergus’, which the band and audiences seemed to enjoy."

I was truly impressed by the standard of music making I heard; not only from my section but from the soloists and band as a wholeKatrina Marzella

Pleasure

Katrina added: "It was a pleasure to play with the youngsters. They worked really hard to get the accompaniments just right and I must thank them and Reto for their efforts."

Both bands performed at four concerts across Switzerland, travelling from their base near Bern, across the German speaking part of the country before ending up in Valais – the ‘home’ of Swiss brass banding.

Thanks

Katrina concluded: "I wish to thank the NJBB organisers for their invitation. I had a fantastic tour, the music-making was excellent and I made lots of new friends and colleagues.

I look forward to seeing them again when I return to Luzern with Black Dyke in September."