Young and Brassy in Newport

Great music from the National Youth Brass Band Wales (NYBBW)

Sunday afternoon was my annual trip to the Riverfront Theatre for the end of course concert performed by the NYBBW. The audience was primarily made up of family & friends of the players. After this concert the course was officially over for another year and everyone was heading home.

The band this year had 60 players who are all under 22. Each player auditions for a place annually. The band was formed in 1982 and really showcases music that many young players wouldn’t usually be exposed to and have the opportunity to play.
This year the conductor was Philip Harper who is a very accomplished musician and exceptional conductor, currently conducting Cory Band based in Treorchy.

The programme we were treated to really showcased what the band has been working on with a wide mix of traditional, modern, eccentric and heavily technical.

Philip Harper explained after the exciting opening piece Anno 1920, that this will be a concert of 2 halves. The 1st half would be more technical with the idea that the young players would be exposed and work on some of the most challenging pieces out there from all ages followed by a 2nd half which would be lighter music that doesn’t mean easier to play by any stretch.

First half

The young players were treated to a really intense week of brass banding from morning to night. They had sectionals with current top players, masterclasses and top tips shared by the amazing Tom Hutchinson (who until November 2025 was principal cornet for Cory band and has moved to Black Dyke Band based in Queensbury , West Yorkshire.

As a bandsman and lover of the technical pieces I really enjoyed the 1st half. It was a fantastic mix of music from varying composers including Philip Harper who composed the opener and 2 other pieces in the programme.

My favourite was Orbital by Richard Blackford. This was based on a book written by Samatha Hardy which is about 24 hours on the international space station, who knew that there were 16 sunrises & sun sets that can be seen each day!

The publisher, Anthony Smith, was in the audience but the naughty trains (as highlighted on the morning travel news) kept the composer in Swindon for many hours.

Our first treat to listen to Tom Hutchinson came when he performed with such elegance and grace the Cornet Concerto by Ernest Tomlinson. The NYBBW players were the perfect accompaniment and they both bounced off each other like a conversation between the band and soloist. This concerto really showed the audience a huge variety of what the cornet can do which was utterly magical

The first half closed with Sunset Rhapsody by Eric Ball, one of the 20th century most exciting composers who has left us with an amazing library of music for all abilities. This piece was the British Open test piece in 1958, one of the feeder qualification rounds (the Welsh Open) also takes place in the Riverfront – 21st February 2027 if you would like to save the date for 14 bands all performing an entertainment programme. Sunset Rhapsody was a piece describing the sunset with the fun fast part unusually in the middle with a calm more solemn close.

Second half

The 2nd half really was a much lighter selection of pieces to listen to that not only showcased the amazing section leaders but had some additional choreography included. Soloists were leaving their seats to stand at the front and play the solo, no music, facing their toughest audience of family & friends and playing perfectly. It was fantastic to listen to and watch – a real treat.

Tom Hutchinson performed 2 very different pieces with the band, the very lyical As I Pray by Joy Webb and really fun and fast paced The Little Clover by Etienne Crausaz.

The concert wrapped up with 3 of the pieces played at Cory Band’s Brass in concert entry. The theme was King Kong, the black and White version. The band and audience absolutely loved them. This was a really entertaining and fitting close to the concert. Philip Harper arranged / composed each of the 3. Working with the composer on a piece is a very rare experience and amazing for all involved.
King King March – Bernstein arr Harper
New York Rampage – Harper
I Want to Break Free – Deacon arr Harper

Many congratulations must go to the recipients of the NYBBW awards who were announced and presented during the second half.
Principal Cornet Stephanie Jonas
Tony Small most improved player Iestyn Seiriol (Euphonium)
John Childs most promising player Matthew Slade (Baritone)
The quality of playing was exceptional and many players within the band now will definitely be stars of the future. It was a fabulous concert to listen to as a bandsman and really took me back to the 90’s when I was a member. Seeing old friends proudly pointing out their children was wonderful.

Some may ask what is next for the youth band members. Based on past experience, many will go onto music college where careers in music are followed. Some will become accomplished soloists, principal players in top musical groups, some will have a career in Army bands – the world really is their oyster.

Important question is “Would I buy more tickets for a future NYBBW concert?” Absolutely yes. It was fantastic being in the audience. We all have favourite styles and pieces, and it is great to be exposed to new and eclectic programmes.
NYBBW is part of the National Youth Art Wales, a lot of the funding comes from course fees, ticket sales & donations. It was announced that about half the players were receiving sponsorship for all or part of the course fees meaning the courses are fully accessible to all regardless of your financial background. The National Youth Art Wales are a charity, you can donate too via

https://www.nyaw.org.uk/donate