*
banner

King and Fountain bring antipodean flavour to Blackburn with NYBBGB

Prof David King and James Fountain will lead a National Youth Band programme packed with Australian and New Zealand musical colours to Blackburn Cathedral later today.

King and Fountain
  Prof David King and James Fountain will lead the music making in Blackburn today

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain is looking forward to performing at Blackburn Cathedral this evening (Saturday 10th August at 5.30pm) with an exciting programme of antipodean inspired repertoire on show under guest conductor Prof David King.

There are a few tickets left, but you had better be quick.

Ambitious programme

It ends a week of intensive music making under the Australian maestro who has certainly ensured his players are stretched with an ambitious programme that includes major works from the pens of Gilbert Vinter, Brenton Broadstock, Philip Sparke and Todd Smith in addition to wide ranging variety of other musical inspirations.

The guest soloist will be former NYBBGB principal cornet James Fountain — now the acclaimed principal trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra. He will be featured in Percy Code's classic 'Zelda' alongside 'Black Tears' (Chorale for Pike River) by Fraser Bremner and Michel Legrand's 'How Do You Keep the Music Playing?

Wider outlook

The band will also be celebrating its wider musical outlook and partnerships with the likes of Denis Wick Products, as well as the ongoing link with The Royal Corps of Army Music which visited the band this week to perform and inspire and the Swiss National Youth Brass Band.

They provided two members of the band as part of the Besson sponsored Horizons programme between the organisations.

In addition, Joshua Parkhill who won the 2023 National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Conducting Competition, and who has been working with Prof King on the course this week, will direct the band in 'Pilgrim Song' (Variations) by Thomas Rive.

Concert:

Blackburn Cathedral (BB1 5AA)
Saturday 10th August
5.30pm

Tickets: https://www.nybbgb.org.uk/whats-on/events/youth-band-summer-concert/

Programme:

James Cook Circumnavigator (Gilbert Vinter)

Zelda (Percy Code)
With All My Heart (Howard Davies)
Guest Soloist: James Fountain

Born to Battle (Symphony for Brass Band) (Brenton Broadstock)

Land of the Long White Cloud (Philip Sparke)

Black Tears (Chorale for Pike River) (Fraser Bremner)
How Do You Keep the Music Playing? (Michel Legrand arr. P Lawrence)
Guest Soloist: James Fountain

Pilgrim Song (Variations) (Thomas Rive)

Meditation (The Light of the World) (Dean Goffin)
Vita Destructa (Todd Smith)

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

NYBBGB concert reprise this Friday

September 18 • You can sit back and enjoy a repeat of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain's Summer Concert this Friday evening.


Future

Brass Foundations Future Leaders graduate with distinction

September 18 • The first cohort of future brass band leaders graduate from the pioneering BBE programme.


cooperation and adams

Adams and coop in percussion partnership

September 18 • Adams Percussion and the cooperation band have entered into a new percussion partnership.


Dutch

Dutch judges announced

September 18 • The adjudication panels for the Dutch National Championships have been confirmed.


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Haverhill Silver Band

September 17 • Haverhill Silver Band (Championship Section) seeks a FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the L&SC area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond.


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Jason M Smith


Band Trainer (Contest Preparation), Conductor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd