*
banner

National Children's Band of Great Britain ready for challenging course work

Talented youngsters from all over the UK will head to Repton School in Derbyshire for this year's National Children's Band course with a world premiere by Jonathan Bates to work on...

Bates
  The band will give the world premiere of a new work called 'Repton Fantasy' by Jonathan Bates

The National Children's Brass Band has announced details of their annual course to be held at Repton School in Derbyshire, with Director of Music, Prof Nicholas Childs, telling 4BR that the stars of tomorrow will be faced with a challenging programme of music.

"It's always an inspirational week of music making,"he said. "Just to hear the youngsters gain in confidence and meet the challenges of the music we play is something special."

Premieres

The Black Dyke MD revealed that this year it will include a world premiere of a new work by Jonathan Bates (above) entitled, appropriately, 'Repton Fantasy', as well as UK premiere of Peter Graham's 'Heroes of the North', which the composer will give the youngsters an insight to its inspiration.

The traditional 'Open Morning' to give families the opportunity to see first-hand what the course has to offer will take place on Tuesday 24th July, starting at 9.30am.

Thrilled

Course Administrator Philip Biggs told 4BR: "Once again we are thrilled to welcome the young players to the course and to help them throughout the week.

Inspirational tutors and performers such as Katrina Marzella, our guest soloist this year, will offer the young players a wonderful musical opportunity."

It's always an inspirational week of music making. Just to hear the youngsters gain in confidence and meet the challenges of the music we play is something specialProf Nicholas Childs

Concert

The end of course concert will be held at Repton School in the 400 Hall on Friday 27th July at 2.30pm

Tickets are available from Philip Biggs on 07710 505689

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.


Craig Roberts

BA (Hons), MA
Conductor / Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd