Black Dyke tenor horn star Siobhan Bates will link up with Classic Brit-award winning saxophonist Jess Gillam, for an on-line broadcast as part of the 'Big Brass Day' event in North Yorkshire in Tuesday 14th July (7.00pm).

The Geneva Group artist will share ideas around the theme of inspirational people to help shape a brand new piece of brass music, to be written by the composer Liz Lane, to be performed on Sunday 16th August by young people.

Big Brass Day

Big Brass Day is a series of workshops for talented young brass players in the county, offered by youth music charity NYMAZ. They are working with Brass Bands England and the North Yorkshire Music Hub to put on the event which has been funded by Youth Music and Arts Council England.

Speaking about it, NYMAZ Director, Sarah McWatt told 4BR: "Our 'Big Brass Day' events have been hugely popular and so we were keen to continue the momentum throughout the summer. The young people were asked who inspired them and Jess Gillam was the top name put forward.

We are absolutely over the moon that she can join our first online session which is centred around inspirational people — it's going to be a real buzz to have here along to help draw out everyone's ideas and show them what is possible in the world of music! Could you get more inspirational? "

Blazing a trail

Hailing from Cumbria, 20 year old Jess Gillam is blazing a trail in the music world with her talent and personality. She has her own show and podcast on BBC Radio 3 called 'This Classical Life', has been the recipient of a Classic BRIT Award and was the first ever saxophonist to reach the final of BBC Young Musician of the Year.

BBE's Education & Development Coordinator, Sarah Baumann added: "The real success of the Big Brass Day events has been the range of styles explored, and that's no different with this next series of events.

We're delighted that talent from the brass band world is being showcased, and both Siobhan and Jess are true inspirations to the young people taking part."

We're delighted that talent from the brass band world is being showcased, and both Siobhan and Jess are true inspirations to the young people taking partBBE

Award winner

Siobhan joined Black Dyke in 2016 and has since won the 'Best Soloist' award at the 2017 Yorkshire Area Championship and the BrassPass.TV Young Brass Award. She already has several commissioned new works which she is keen to perform once rehearsals return after lockdown.

Big Brass Day is aimed at musicians aged up to 18 years old who are at Grade 4 and above.

To take part in this summer's online sessions, contact: info@nymaz.org.uk

Image courtesy of Lorne Campbell