40th Anniversary Reunion Concert of NYBBW
The 40th anniversary of the formation of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales was celebrated with a concert in the Dora Stoutzker Hall at the RWCMD in Cardiff on October 22nd. Representing 17 bands, players from the very first course in 1982 to the latest in 2022 took to the stage in their various uniforms to present a colourful ensemble of talent directed by MDs Edward Gregson and Dr Robert Childs.
Professor Edward Gregson, the NYBBW’s first Musical Director, took to the podium to open proceedings with Alun Hoddinott’s ‘Fanfare with Variants’. This was followed with two further original works for band; the popular ‘Vivat Regina’ by William Mathias and the apt ‘Prelude on Three Welsh Hymn Tunes’ by Vaughan-Williams. The audience was then treated to the first of three dazzling solo performances, starting with tenor horn virtuoso Owen Farr performing Gareth Wood’s ‘Concertino for Tenor Horn and Band with his usual flair and panache. The baton was handed to Dr Robert Childs to conclude the first half with the much loved ‘Resurgam’ by Eric Ball.
The second half began in rousing fashion with Peter Graham’s ‘Summon the Dragon’ and Gareth Wood’s ‘Sosban Fach’ before Dr Childs introduced Dewi Griffiths as the evening’s second soloist. The Tredegar principal cornet was on scintillating form as he delivered a blistering performance of ‘The Paragon’. The conductor’s own arrangement of Glennie’s ‘A Little Prayer’ provided a beautiful moment of calm and reflection before the final soloist, Glyn Williams took to the stage for ‘Grandfather’s Clock’. As always, the Cory euphonium star impressed with his range and dexterity, drawing warm applause from the appreciative audience. Langford’s arrangement of the traditional Welsh air, ‘All through the Night’ followed before the baton was passed back to Professor Gregson for his own ’Connotations’. It is a testament to the players around the stands that this demanding piece received such a spine-tingling performance to conclude this superb reunion concert.
The event was organised by Andrew Baker and all profits from the concert were donated to the ‘Friends of the NYBBW’, a registered charity created to fundraise and support the band, which is now administrated by National Youth Arts Wales.
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