*
banner

Full steam ahead for National Childrens Band this weekend

Three fantastic world premieres and a brilliant guest soloist set to help National Children's Band celebrate its 10th birthday.

National Childrens Band logo
 

The National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain has confirmed its programme for its 10th anniversary celebration concert, which is to be held the 400 Hall at Repton School near Derby on
Saturday 27th July at 2.30pm.

Wide range

The talented youngsters will perform a wide range of music under the baton of MD Dr Nicholas Childs, including three world premieres by composers, Dan Price and Jonathan Bates, specially written for the event.

London Town

Jonathan has composed ‘In London Town’, based around the number 10.

He told 4BR: "The 10 minute long piece is largely based on 10 notes heard at the outset and the music features 'olde-English' style court music and contemporary dub-step/dance music.

There are also sections where the performers use whistles to represent birdsong in parks and sing in four-part harmony."

Mallard 4468

Meanwhile, one of Dan’s new works bears the name of one of the most the famous, record-breaking steam trains in the world – ‘Mallard 4468’.

The aerodynamic blue coloured Mallard still holds the world speed record for a steam train of 125.88mph, which it set north of Grantham on 3rd July 1938.

75th anniversary

Dan added: “The music celebrates the 75th anniversary of this amazing feat and derives from the engine number 4468 translated into a melody using intervals of fourths, a major sixth and an octave.

It follows the journey of its record breaking run, ending as it disappears from sight through Stoke Tunnel.”

Wonderful

Dan added: "It’s wonderful to be involved with this important milestone for the band. It was fantastic to hear my new piece, and to hear my music played with such enthusiasm and to such a high standard by this talented group of young stars."

Guest soloist

Guest soloist this year is trombone virtuoso Peter Moore, who was the band's first solo trombone player in 2003.

Peter will provide the world premiere of Dan’s, ‘Roller Coaster’, as well as performing Gordon Langford's ‘Rhapsody for Trombone’, Bill Geldard's arrangement of ‘I'm Getting Sentimental Over You’ and Arthur Pryor's ‘Fantastic Polka’.

The remainder of the programme includes Paul Lovatt-Cooper's ‘Young Legends’ and Eric Ball's ‘Star Lake’.

With world premieres from Jonathan and Price, together with star soloist Peter Moore, we are guaranteed a concert not to forgetCourse Director, Dr Nicholas Childs

Five day course

The concert is the culmination of the latest five-day residential course held at Repton School led by course director Dr Nicholas Childs.

He told 4BR: "It is always an exciting time when you can showcase the very finest brass stars of tomorrow — and even more so when celebrating the 10th anniversary of such a great organisation.

With world premieres from Jonathan and Price, together with star soloist Peter Moore, we are guaranteed a concert not to forget."

Tickets:

Tickets are available priced £12 each and £10 for concessions. Tickets are available through Philip Biggs on 01223 234090.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Whitburn

Double boost for Whitburn

August 26 • New solo signings boost Scottish Champion's ranks ahead of major challenges.


Tertnes

New duo to lead Tertnes

August 26 • Margie Sutherland Antrobus and Katrina Marzella Wheeler will spearhead the musical approaches of Tertnes Brass on contest and concert stages over the next year.


wsbba

Troon set to welcome entertainers

August 26 • Defending champion Unite Scotland Kinneil leads the entertainers in Troon at the West of Scotland Entertainment Contest this weekend.


BrookWright

BrookWright Solo Competition finalists announced

August 25 • You can now vote for who you think should win the Under 18 and Over 18 categories of the 2026 BrookWright International Brass Solo Contest.


Regent Hall Concerts - Cross Bones Trombone Quintet

Friday 21 August • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 23 August • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Chinnor Silver

August 26 • Our COMMUNITY BAND is meeting again on Tuesday (1st) in our bandroom at 11am. Why not come along for a relaxed,friendly rehearsal with cake/coffee and it’s all free.. We welcome players of all abilities and blowing with us doesn’t affect your No1 band.


Wantage Silver Band

August 22 • Wantage Concert Brass (1st Section) are looking for a SOLO HORN and PERCUSSIONIST. Under the direction of our dynamic and inspiring MD Daniel Hall. This year we achieved 3rd at the L&SC regionals. We rehearse Tue & Fri 7:30pm- 9:30pm in our own bandhall


Ashington Colliery Band

August 20 • Front Row Cornet & Tenor Trombone. We're a friendly, ambitious Second Section band based in South East Northumberland just north of Blyth. We rehearse Tuesdays & Thursdays, 19:30-21:30, and transport can be provided depending on location.


David W. Ashworth

RSCM, ABBA Exec Member, NABBC PRO.
Conductor, Band Trainer and Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd