The National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2019, and to mark the occasion, they embark on a short tour across the Tasman Sea to Queensland in Australia.

Under the baton of David Bremner the 36 young players will give a series of concerts in Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast, culminating in a joint concert with Australia's number 1 ranked band, Brisbane Excelsior.

60 years

Formed in 1959, over the past 60 years many of New Zealand's finest players and conductors have graduated from the Youth Band to become professional musicians, champion soloists and members of the senior National Band of New Zealand.

To help meet the substantial costs of the trip, a fund raising campaign was successfully launched at the recent New Zealand National Championships in Blenheim, and it's hoped that further fund raising initiatives and help will be forthcoming over the coming months.

New CD

This has already included the launch of the band's new CD, 'NYBB 2018 LIVE', recorded earlier this year and which includes Phillip Sparke's 'Aotearoa' — The Land of the Long White Cloud', jazz standards such as 'Birdland' and 'Nobody Does It Better' and some scintillating cornet playing by guest soloist Kyle Lawson, a former member of the band.

The band will be directed by David Bremner, former MD of Wellington Brass and principal trombone of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, whilst the Band Manager for the trip is highly respected Mike Ford — both former alumni of the band.

This is an amazing opportunity for this young band to showcase their talents overseas and to enjoy an incredible experienceDavid Bremner

Amazing opportunity

Speaking to 4BR, David Bremner said: "This is an amazing opportunity for this young band to showcase their talents overseas and to enjoy an incredible experience.

They work so hard to be selected, so I know they are going to represent New Zealand with huge pride and talent.

The National Youth Band was an amazing eye-opening experience for me as a youngster, and I'm proud to be involved in further developing this current crop of talented musicians.

He added: "Along with the tutors and management team, many whom have been past members of the youth band, we feel privileged to be helping guide the next generation of musicians."

Boosted Campaign Link:

https://www.boosted.org.nz/projects/national-youth-brass-band-australian-tour

New NYBB CD for sale:

http://www.brassbanz.org/product-page/2018-national-youth-brass-band-album