National Youth Collaboration
Almost a fortnight after the start of its Easter residential course, an ambassador band from the NYBB joined forces with the National Youth Orchestra as they worked towards two performances of Gavin Higgins’ gargantuan ‘Concerto Grosso for Brass Band and Orchestra’. Following a stellar show in Liverpool the two youth ensembles then journeyed to London to perform the concluding concert in the Royal Festival Hall.
In the composer’s pre-concert talk he paid tribute to the age of the performers who didn’t just ‘have a go’ at his 35-minute self-proclaimed 'love letter' to the banding world, but performed it with style, technical assurance and real musical flair, under the impressive direction of conductor Tess Jackson. Many audience members commented on what a great joy it was to hear two ensembles of such talent playing as one, sentiments which were echoed by the NYO’s CEO Sarah Alexander OBE who stated that bringing the two ensembles together had been a huge success. Mark Bromley, CEO of the National Youth Brass Band expressed his delight commenting, “After 18 days, two residencies, four concerts and travels across the length and breadth of the country, last night's performance at the Royal Festival Hall was a triumph! My thanks go to all the musicians, staff, parents and supporters of the NYO and NYBBGB that made this Easter of music making possible. Bravo!”
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