The organisers of the Brass in Concert Championship, which will be held at The Sage Gateshead on Sunday 18 November in association with Yamaha and British Bandsman, have revealed more details of the World of Brass in Concert event, to be held the previous evening. Conducted by its Artistic Director, Bramwell Tovey, the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) will take the stage in its 60th anniversary year, and at the conclusion of the evening it will join the current Yorkshire, English and European Champion, Black Dyke, in a massed band finale.
Speaking on behalf of the organising team, John Woods commented: “The concept of the NYBBGB appearing at Brass in Concert was proposed by Dr. Roy Newsome who, of course, had such great involvement in the development of both the NYBBGB (he holds the longest tenure as Music Advisor in the band’s history) and Brass in Concert, of which he was Musical Advisor from 1977 until his death in 2011. We know he would have been so pleased to see this vision come to fruition at The Sage in this celebratory year. A tribute to ‘Dr. Roy’ will be included in the programme, so appropriate given that two conductors on the same evening, Dr. Nicholas Childs and Philip Harper, are former NYBBGB members.”
Speaking on behalf of the NYBBGB, Philip Biggs commented: “We are delighted to be participating in the Gala Concert with two of the top bands in the world in the iconic surroundings of The Sage Gateshead. The work of Roy Newsome with the NYBBGB and in the presentation of Brass in Concert was truly remarkable. We are pleased to have the opportunity to perform in a festival emphasising the values of entertainment, but similarly encouraging young people to appreciate the sound of brass.”
The NYBBGB’s Chairman, Dr. Robert Childs, added: “I am thrilled that the NYBBGB will take part in such a prestigious Gala Concert. I’ve known the unique quality of Brass in Concert since its inception in 1977. It will be wonderful for the young musicians of the NYBBGB to experience first-hand the warm and friendly atmosphere that the Brass in Concert team manages to create year on year. I can’t think of a more fitting event to conclude the band’s 60th anniversary. Roy Newsome would be delighted that the band he loved so much is performing at the festival he also loved so much. It is going to be a great night.”
The NYBBGB convenes on 4th August for its Summer Course at Wymondham College, Norfolk, with concerts planned at St. Mary’s Church, Beccles on Thursday (9th) and Snape Maltings on Friday (10th). On Sunday 12 August, the NYBBGB will appear at the BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall, sharing the platform with the National Youth Wind Orchestra. All the NYBBGB performances will be directed by Bramwell Tovey. Tickets for the Brass in Concert Championship, priced £27.00, £21.00 and £14.00, and Gala Concert, priced at £22.00, £18.00 and £12.00 are available from www.thesagegateshead.org or by telephone on 0191 443 4661.