Joshua wins NYBB Conducting Competition
Congratulations to Kinneil Band resident conductor and Johnstone Band and Brass Sounds Inverclyde musical director Joshua Parkhill who won the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) conducting competition at the weekend.
In a high-quality final hosted by British Army Music in Tidworth and sponsored by The Garrick Charitable Trust, Joshua was joined by Andreas Ashkikis, Felicity Cliffe and Craig Sanders as they were in turn asked to work on one of four demanding compositions. British Army Band Tidworth musicians not only worked alongside the conductors but also with the young players of the National Youth Band who were part of the day. Conductors Captain Andrew Porter and Lieutenant Colonel Dave Barringer were also on hand to put the band through their paces and assist in the adjudication process.
Joshua was awarded first place in the competition by the NYBBGB Director of Artistic Planning Dr Robert Childs, whose father – the late John Childs – conducted Kinneil Band in the 1980s. Joshua had to prepare and guide the NYBBGB through Peter Graham’s ‘Shine as the Light’ and Dr Childs was particularly complimentary of Joshua’s “research of the score” and “efficient and musical interpretation” of the piece.
As overall winner of the NYBBGB, Joshua receives a cash prize and will be working with the children from the NYBBGB once again in summer with their professional conductor Prof David King. A thrilled Joshua commented, “It was great to work with such talented and responsive musicians in the band. Thanks to Peter Graham for his amazing piece which was so much fun to rehearse. I am now looking forward to working with the band in summer as their new assistant conductor alongside David King!”
Joshua was back at Kinneil Band on Monday, rehearsing the band on ‘Variations on an Enigma’ by Philip Sparke for the Scottish Championships.
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