*
banner

Scottish Youth ready for face time

Over 100 talented young players will be meeting up face to face this weekend for a fantastic six day residential National Youth Band course.

nybbs
  The bands musical and social needs are being well catered for

Final preparations are underway for the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) six-day Summer residential course.

Supported through funding from Creative Scotland, it will start on Sunday 1st August at Strathallan School in Perthshire where just over 100 talented players will meet to make 'live' music.

Thrilled

An understandably thrilled SBBA President and NYBBS course coordinator Carrie Boax told 4BR: "This year we are celebrating our 63rd annual summer course and given the circumstances that young players have had to endure over the past 16 months or so it feels like the countdown to Christmas!"

The trio of NYBBS bands will be in the musical hands of Alan Fernie (Children's), John Boax (Reserve) and Ian Porthouse (Senior), with a special visit from Conductor Emeritus Richard Evans (above).

Concert

The musical fruits of the course will be shown to the public at a special end-of-course summer concert which will be live-streamed from the Strathallan Theatre on Friday 6th August (6.00pm).

Not surprisingly, Richard Evans for one is certainly looking forward to returning to the rostrum to inspire the next generation of Scottish talent.

"Ian Porthouse has been in touch and has intimated he wants the whole week concentrated on making music in the best possible way — with fun and hard work,"he said.

"I know he, John and Alan will do just that and they have chosen repertoire which underlines their intentions. This week will be one the young students will remember for a long time — and so will I!"

Course tutors will be Richard Poole, Sheona Wade, Brett Baker, Les Neish, Mark Landon, Gareth Bowman, Phillippa MacDougall, Charlie Farren, Caroline Farren, Stuart Black and Gary Williams.

Organised

In addition to full and sectional rehearsals, all players will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of workshops which are being organised for additional musical development and enjoyment.

Carrie Boax added: "We are also mindful that the social aspect of safely coming together this year will be especially beneficial all our young students and so we have timetabled daily activities to address wellbeing, ranging from daily walks to soft archery and team sports, walk-in movies and quizzes."

The musical fruits of the course will be shown to the public at a special end-of-course summer concert which will be live-streamed from the Strathallan Theatre on Friday 6th August (6.00pm)SBBA

Risk assessed

Strathallan School has been fully risk assessed for the course by SBBA Secretary Tom Allan and John Boax to ensure all health & safety requirements are met in full.

"Strathallan has a stringent set of mitigation measures in place for the protection of its staff and pupils and these will be followed by NYBBS house staff for the duration of the NYBBS course,"John said.

"Furthermore, SBBA has exclusive use of the school this year so keeping our young musicians safe and secure will be that much easier. A bubble system will mean that the timetable for each band will vary slightly as we ensure the wellbeing and safety of all of our members is given priority."

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    


nybbgb

Celebration theme for National Youth Band concert in London

July 9 • The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain will be in musical celebration mode for their Summer Concert in London next month.


ai rOBOT

Artists combine with AI to win composition prize

July 9 • AI technology fuses with the 'human essence' to create award winning compositions in global competition.


pRESTOCDS

Presto Music Collection: Six more classic CDs

July 8 • You can continue to build your classic brass collection of CDs with 4BR's partnership with Presto Music.


Youth Fest

Brass sounds fill the air at Youth Fest in Barnet

July 8 • BBE's 'Brass Fest' event saw over 200 young players provide fantastic entertainment and great music making in Barnet.


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


The Hepworth Band - A Summer Proms Concert

Sunday 20 July • Hepworth United Sports Club, Far Lane, Hepworth, Holmfirth. HD9 1RN


Petworth Town Band - Ebernoe Horn Fair

Friday 25 July • Ebernoe Cricket Ground GU28 9LD


Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Ilkeston Brass

July 11 • We are looking for additional cornet players to join us – positions negotiable! Ilkeston Brass is a friendly 4th section band with a long history based in the SE of Derbyshire.


Olney Brass

July 11 • OLNEY BRASS currently seeking a talented player to fill the following vacancy, in order to strengthen their line up: Eb BASS. We're an ambitious and friendly 2nd section band, with a variety of contests, concerts & community events annually.


Olney Brass

July 10 • OLNEY BRASS currently seeking talented players to fill the following vacancies, in order to strengthen their line up: SOLO CORNETS. We're an ambitious and friendly 2nd section band, with a variety of contests, concerts & community events annually.


Chris King

MBA, BMus(Hons), LRSM, AoBBA
Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator, Compere, Band Trainer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd