*
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    


Nord

Report & Results: 2026 Aalborg Music Festival

May 11 • Nordvestjysk Brass Band claims the 14th Aalborg title with section wins for Aalborg Post Orkester, Hjorring Brass Band and Kimbrer Garden


Paul Holland

Mayor's Medal honour for Holland

May 11 • Flowers Band MD Paul Holland has been presented with The Mayor's Medal as an expression of the thanks and gratitude of the Citizens of Gloucester following the band's recent European title success.


Tonga

New commission celebrates Tongan history

May 11 • A new test-piece work by Andrew Wainwright will receive its premiere at the Tonga Secondary School Brass Band Festival.


Tameside Whit Friday

Venues ready for Tameside Whit Friday visitors

May 11 • 11 venues will welcome performers and listeners alike later this month.


Harlow Brass Band - SPRING CONCERT - AN ANIMATION SENSATION

Saturday 16 May • St Andrew's Methodist Church. The Stow. Harlow. CM20 3AF


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 17 May • Dorchester- Park Bandstand DT1 1RG


Newstead Brass - Mansfield MVC - Brass and Voices

Sunday 24 May • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West,. Mansfield NG19 0EE


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Chinnor Silver

May 11 • We are looking for PERCUSSIONISTS to join us as we head into an exciting period for the band.Good and varied diary ahead.. We rehearse on Wednesdays in our own bandroom (so none of that tedious setting up and down)


Hathern Band

May 10 • Due to University placement we require a Bb Bass player- we are a First Section band based at our own band room in the village of Hathern LE12 5LJ Leicestershire (between M1 Jcts 23 & 24) and close to Lougborough and Nottingham Universities


Newstead Brass

May 10 • Newstead Brass are on the lookout for a talented 2nd BARITONE player to join our ambitious and hardworking Nottinghamshire-based Championship Section band.. A rare chance to become part of an ambitious brass band striving for even greater success together.


Ian Porthouse


Cornet soloist, clinician, conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd