NYBBGB launches Conductors Competition
The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) is launching a Conductors’ Competition, the first prize of which will bring the unique opportunity of being tutored by, and working as Associate Conductor with international maestro and English National Opera Conductor, Martyn Brabbins (pictured above), appointed guest conductor for the NYBBGB during its 70th anniversary year residential Summer Course at Taunton School, from 30 July - 6 August 2022. The winner will also receive a £500 fee and conduct a work at the NYBBGB’s 70th anniversary celebration concert on 6 August, at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London.
Said the NYBBGB’s CEO, Mark Bromley: “Being lucky enough to engage someone of the stature and influence of Martyn Brabbins, as guest conductor for the NYBBGB’s 70th anniversary year summer course and concert, means we can provide a unique opportunity for an up-and-coming conductor to work with Martyn and the youth band for a week. Applicants don’t necessarily have to
originate from a brass band background; they can be from any genre – we just hope to create an interest amongst talented young conductors of what the best of brass banding’s youth has to offer.”
The Competition is formatted in three rounds – 1st, 2nd and Final. Round 1 will be own-choice by video and Zoom conversation with the NYBBGB’s Director of Artistic Planning, Dr. Robert Childs, and the 2nd and Final rounds will take place, at a venue to be announced, on 29 January 2022. Round 2 will involve six shortlisted conductors from 10.00am - 12.30pm and the Final Round from 2.00pm – 3.40pm will see three conductors battling for first prize. A panel comprising Martyn Brabbins, Dr. Robert Childs and Captain Samuel Hairsine RN will judge the 2nd and Final rounds, and the results will be announced at 4.30pm.
For the live Round 2, six shortlisted conductors will be asked to prepare the well-known brass band marches listed below. The three finalists’ set work and running order will be drawn by lot at the end of Round 2.
Round 2: Mephistopheles by Shipley Douglas; Knight Templar – George Allan; The Cossack – William Rimmer.
Final Round: Resurgam by Eric Ball; Music for a Festival – Philip Sparke; Shine as the Light – Peter Graham.
Round 2 candidates will be advised which march they will direct the NYBBGB in on the day and given 20 minutes to prepare it. Three of the six Round 2 candidates will make it through to the Final, when they will be told which of the Final Round works they will lead the NYBBGB in and given 40 minutes to rehearse the piece.
Open to those aged 20 or over and 30 or under, details of how to apply will appear on the NYBBGB’s website at the end of August and applications must be submitted by 1 October this year.
The NYBBGB is currently assembled until 7 August at Repton School, in Derbyshire, for its 2021 Summer Course edition under the baton of Cory MD, Philip Harper. The organisation’s Children’s Band met at Repton last week under the baton of Professor Nicholas Childs, and presented an open-air concert with guest euphonium soloist, Gary Curtin. Visit www.nybbgb.org.uk for more information.
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