*
banner

Childrens' Band fun smashes challenges ahead of anniversary concert

The young stars of the National Childrens' Brass Band of Great Britain have been meeting all the challenges put in front of them head of their concert in Manchester on Friday afternoon.

NYBBGB
  The band will give its 20th anniversary concert in Manchester on Friday

"They are having great fun and absolutely smashing it."

That's the view of guest conductor Lynda Nicholson as the 62 young players on this year's National Childrens' Brass Band of Great Britain course at Stoneyhurst College in Clitheroe continue to work towards their 20th anniversary concert appearance in Manchester on Friday afternoon (2.00pm).

Brilliant

"It's been absolutely brilliant,"Lynda told 4BR. "I picked a really tricky programme for the event, but the determination and the incredible talent of the players has overcome all the musical challenges.

The great work of the tutors has been key to this — encouraging and urging them to succeed — and I've been so fortunate to hear it all emerge for me on the rostrum."

Different genres

Lynda has been particularly delighted that the players aged 10 to 15 have embraced the different musical genres with ease.

"I picked Philip Sparke's 'Pioneers' as it was a piece that we played together on the first course in 2004, but the way in which they have taken to swing, singing, contemporary and bhangra music with open minds and understanding has been a real treat.

I'm sure the audience in Manchester is going to be just as impressed as I've been. They are having great fun and absolutely smashing it."

Soloist link

In a move that has also caught the imagination, the concert will feature a former member of the band as the guest soloist — with 20 year horn player Daniel Marsh performing 'Capriccio Brillante' and 'Autumn Leaves'.

Daniel played on two courses and went on to play in the National Youth Band, winning the prestigious Mortimer Prize in 2023. He is now studying maths at Durham University as well as carrying on his playing with the EverReady Band.

Honour

"It's a real honour to be asked to perform as the guest soloist, as the band was such an important part of my development as a player,"he said.

"It wasn't that long ago I was sat where these players are now — so I don't feel old, just privileged that I hope I can inspire them to carry on playing just as others did for me."

I'm sure the audience in Manchester is going to be just as impressed as I've been. They are having great fun and absolutely smashing itLynda Nicholson

Concert:

Friday 2nd August (2.00pm)
Martin Harris Centre for Music & Drama
University of Manchester (M13 9PL)

Tickets:


You can book your ticket for the concert at:
https://www.nybbgb.org.uk/whats-on/events/childrens-band-20th-anniversary-concert/

Programme from:

Festmusik der Stadt Wein (Strauss arr. Fernie)
The Mandalorian (Ludwig Goransson arr. Tim Middleton)
Kennesaw Mountain Blues (Stephen Bulla)
Nocturne (Torstein Aargaard Nilsen)
Capriccio Brillante (Herman Bellstedt arr. Sandy Smith)
Soloist: Daniel Marsh
The King's March (Jeremiah Clarke arr. Nicholson)
The Pioneers (Philip Sparke)

Mega-Mix (Charlotte Graham)
Celebration (Ronald Bell arr. Kirby Shaw)
Kuna Karamu (Traditional African arr. Sally Albrecht)
Bhangra Dance (Stephen Roberts)
Mid All the Traffic (Leonard Ballantine)
Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma arr. Bill Geldard)
Soloist: Daniel Marsh
Opus One (Cy Oliver arr. Bill Geldard)

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    


Gregson and Bliss

Gregson and Bliss to challenge National Finalists

March 30 • Significant composer anniversaries will be marked at London and Cheltenham this year.


Youth Brass 2000

Report & Results: 2025 National Youth Championships of Great Britain

March 30 • Youth Brass 2000 reclaims the Championship honours with Shepherd Youth Group taking the Performance title in Hull.


National Youth Champs

Hull ready for National Youth Championships

March 28 • There is a packed day of music making to enjoy at Hymers College in Hull on Saturday with a record field of bands and players taking to the stage.


Breet and Keith

Baker and Wilkinson renew Atlantic connection

March 28 • A 30 year musical friendship has been reconnected between Brett Baker and Dr Keith Wilkinson.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for an experienced percussionist. . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, we are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, close to M1 J22


Chris Wormald

B.Mus (Hons), LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, adjudicator, arranger


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd