The Irish Youth Brass Ensemble will make its first appearance in July, with the hope of being able to offer aspiring brass and percussion musicians the opportunity to come together in what could become a recognised National Youth Brass Band of Ireland.

The forthcoming course will be managed by the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras and supported by the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin and will see a number leading tutors and artists work with the talented young players.

Leading the way

Leading the new venture is founding Artistic Director, Brendan Breslin, a former winner of the National Association of Brass Band Conductors Competition and an award winner at the recent Ensemble du Cuivres Valaisan Composition event.

He told 4BR: "As a young man growing up in Northern Ireland I was very fortunate to be surrounded by strong and varied musical influences, from orchestras to choirs, in musical theatre and bands.

It was in the brass band genre that my journey really began, and continues to this day."

Goal

He added: "It will be an honour to direct these young musicians alongside a talented and skilled artistic team. It has always been a goal of mine to one day see a flagship course and ensemble to facilitate the talent of Ireland, north and south.

We want to encourage the growth and development of these musicians and to support and nurture the talent from all over the island and beyond."

With learning, collaboration and fun amongst the core values of the new ensemble, the weeklong course will include specific technical training, performance preparation, group projects and activities.

We want to encourage the growth and development of these musicians and to support and nurture the talent from all over the island and beyondArtistic Director, Brendan Breslin

When, where and how to apply

The course runs from the 17th — 22nd July at The Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin, and is open to players from across the island of Ireland with British or Irish citizenship living at home or studying abroad, aged between 16 and 25 during the course.

For further details and to apply, go to: www.iybe.iayo.ie