Young Voice – Thomas Fountain

Cornet star, Thomas Fountain, will join the European Youth Brass Band in Lille later this month. He first picked up an instrument at the age of three and the 19-year-old has come a long way since those early days. His sights are now set firmly on reaching the lofty heights of the music profession, as Mark Good found out

MG: How long have you been in the National
Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB)?


TF: I joined in 2012 as fourth man down and the recent Easter course was my ninth. I was fortunate enough that my first year happened to be when we performed at the Royal Albert Hall, in the BBC Proms under Bramwell Tovey. Having become Leader of the band last year, I recently completed my third course as Principal, which provided a unique opportunity to work with Jamie Phillips, Associate Conductor of the Hallè.

MG: What roles have the NYBBGB and brass bands played in your development?

TF: The NYBBGB has played a massive role, both in my development as a musician and as a person. There are obvious ways in which it helps your playing - for example, by teaching old and new repertoire, testing technique, stamina and also teaching you to work as a team, which is vitally important in such a large cornet section. The opportunity to work with its Artistic Director, Bramwell Tovey, helps development hugely. In my opinion, he is one of the greatest conductors around, and we learn so much in terms of musicianship and musical knowledge from him. I've also been given the opportunity to become a mentor on more recent courses, which helps you as person. It gives you the chance to help the younger members and to continue the tradition of the organisation’s family feel. I also owe a massive amount to…

To read this insightful interview with a star of the future in full, and much more from April's edition of BBW, subscribe to BBW Digital here.