*
banner

National Youth Band of Scotland

Conductors: John Boax; Ian Porthouse
Strathallan School
Perthshire
Thursday 14th April


After the frustrations of Covid isolation, the National Youth Band of Scotland returned to its Easter Course at Strathallan School with unbridled eagerness.

The Scottish Brass Band Association’s enlightened approach in maintaining personal as well as musical connections between players and staff during the hiatus had ensured that it was also underpinned by a sense of revitalisation rather than resurrection.

The reward for the long term planning will soon see the band head to Birmingham to play in the Development Section of the European Youth Band Championships; a debut appearance driven not just by the enthusiasm to represent their nation with pride, but with an insatiable appetite to make up for lost time.

Euro showcase

That was obvious after four days of music making by the combined forces of the senior and reserve bands, with John Boax leading the audience of family and friends through a showcase of the repertoire that will be performed at Symphony Hall.

The 20 minute contest programme opened with ‘Starburst’  by Dan Price - energised and driven, with the great perc team stoking the tempo boosters.  

That was obvious after four days of music making by the combined forces of the senior and reserve bands, with John Boax leading the audience of family and friends through a showcase of the repertoire that will be performed at Symphony Hall.

Charlie Boax was the featured soloist, as the young Irvine & Dreghorn baritone player, who was recently crowned Scottish Intermediate Solo Champion, gave mature display of lyricism on ‘Carrickfergus’.

The evocative sounds of ‘Elegy for Dunkirk’  from the film ‘Atonement’  provided an evocative weave of reflective tonality, before the first half was rounded off with the European set-work, ‘Corineus’  - Christopher Bond’s cleverly conceived imaginings of mythical Cornish mayhem and magic.

Reminder

Musical Director Ian Porthouse led the second half; the opening ‘Flourish for Band’, a bold fanfare reminder that 2022 will see a great deal of Vaughan Williams music being played from the contest and concert stage.  

Alan Fernie’s ‘Prismatic Light’  (with the composer enjoying himself in the trombone section) contrasted with the rich scoring of ‘Hymn for Diana’, before the concert was rounded off with the cinemascope demands of ‘The Gael’  from ‘Last of the Mohicans’.

It was played with the type of confidence that should hold the band in good stead when they head to Birmingham and their European challenge.

Iwan Fox 

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


The Hepworth Band - A Summer Proms Concert

Sunday 20 July • Hepworth United Sports Club, Far Lane, Hepworth, Holmfirth. HD9 1RN


Petworth Town Band - Ebernoe Horn Fair

Friday 25 July • Ebernoe Cricket Ground GU28 9LD


Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Ilkeston Brass

July 11 • We are looking for additional cornet players to join us – positions negotiable! Ilkeston Brass is a friendly 4th section band with a long history based in the SE of Derbyshire.


Olney Brass

July 11 • OLNEY BRASS currently seeking a talented player to fill the following vacancy, in order to strengthen their line up: Eb BASS. We're an ambitious and friendly 2nd section band, with a variety of contests, concerts & community events annually.


Olney Brass

July 10 • OLNEY BRASS currently seeking talented players to fill the following vacancies, in order to strengthen their line up: SOLO CORNETS. We're an ambitious and friendly 2nd section band, with a variety of contests, concerts & community events annually.


Steve Pritchard-Jones

FTCL LTCL LDBBA DipMusEd GMus QTS NPQH
Conductor, Adjudicator, Teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd