*
banner

Concerto Grosso collaboration for National Youth Band and National Youth Orchestra

Performances of Gavin Higgins' epic work will be given in Liverpool and London in April as ensembles prepare to showcase major works.

NYBBGB
  The organisation will come together for two performances in Liverpool and London

Gavin Higgins' 'Concerto Grosso for Brass Band and Orchestra' will form the first half centrepiece of two concerts given by the joint forces of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and the National Youth Orchestra in Liverpool and London in April.

Catalyst

The collaboration, entitled 'Catalyst' reflects the commitment both organisations have to change perceptions and show a wider audience "that both symphony orchestras and brass bands are a living, vital and integral part of British culture."

It will be conducted by Jessica Cottis, Artistic Director of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, and will see performances given on Friday 12th April at Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall and on Sunday 14th April at London's Southbank Centre.

The second part of the programmes sees the National Youth Orchestra perform Prokofiev's 'Symphony No. 5'.

Individual performances

In addition to the showcase concert in Liverpool the performers from both ensembles will be popping up in unexpected places to share extraordinary music across the city. Tickets for each of the joint performances are free for teenagers.

Each will also perform at the Tung Auditorium.

On Thursday 11th April the orchestra under the direction of Delia Stevens, will take audiences on a daring musical adventure, with composers whose music is a catalyst to new ideas and creativity

On Saturday 13th April, The National Youth Brass Band will perform Karl Jenkins' 'Fragile Earth', his first major work for brass band, as part of an extensive major programme under the direction of Artistic Director Dr Robert Childs.

Programmes:

Thursday 11th April:

The National Youth Orchestra
Creative Director: Delia Stevens
The Tung Auditorium, Liverpool (8.00pm)

https://thetungauditorium.com/events/catalyst-musicians-from-the-national youth-orchestra#book-tickets

Programme:
Stay On It (Julius Eastman)
Trombone Concerto (second movement) (Dani Howard)
Graffiti (Carlos Simon)

Friday 12th April:

The National Youth Orchestra & National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
Conductor: Jessica Cottis
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (7.30pm)

https://www.liverpoolphil.com/whats-on/classical-music/catalyst-the-national youth-orchestra-and-the-national-youth-brass-band/8986

Programme:
Concerto Grosso for Brass Band and Orchestra (Gavin Higgins)
Symphony No. 5 (Prokofiev)

Saturday 13th April:

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
Conductor: Dr Robert Childs
The Tung Auditorium, Liverpool (5.00pm)

https://thetungauditorium.com/events/catalyst-the-national-youth-brass band-of-great-britain#book-tickets

Programme:
Four Minute Mile (Judith Bingham)
Carnival Overture Op. 92 (Dvořák arr. Brand)
Little Suite for Brass, No. 1 (Malcolm Arnold)
Voices of Youth (Edward Gregson)
Journey Into Freedom (Eric Ball)
Dundonell from Hymn of the Highlands (Phillip Sparke)
Faith (Dorothy Gates)
Sing, Sing, Sing (Louis Prima arr. Fogie)
Little Prayer (Evelyne Glennie)
Fragile World (Sir Karl Jenkins)

Sunday 14th April:

The National Youth Orchestra & National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
Conductor: Jessica Cottis
Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall (7.30pm)

https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/classical-music/catalyst

Programme:
Concerto Grosso for Brass Band and Orchestra (Gavin Higgins)
Symphony No. 5 (Prokofiev)

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    


Norwegian Championships

Final musical touches being put in their Bergen place

February 4 • 80 will be putting their own-choice and set-work pieces under final scrutiny ahead of the Norwegian National Championships this weekend.


Jamie Smith

Smith looking forward to Japanese tour

February 4 • Grimethorpe Colliery Band principal cornet Jamie Smith will head to Japan for a performance tour this Easter.


East Midlands

New march and hymn contest to fill gap in East Midlands

February 4 • A brand new event will take on 13th June at the Braybrooke Brewery and Taproom, North Northamptonshire.


gLYN AND hLEN

Busy January enjoyment for Williams duo

February 4 • Glyn and Helen Williams have enjoyed a busy start to 2026.


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Welwyn Garden City Band

February 5 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our inclusive non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has vacancies for: . . Solo Cornet. Soprano Cornet. 2/3 Cornet.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks:. . Solo Euphonium . 1st Horn . 2nd Baritone .


Rob Nesbitt

BSc, PG Cert. Ed.
Cartoonist , illustrator, writer


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd