Pupils Join National Youth Group Band
Not content with simply enjoying a long summer relaxing on a sunny beach, two of our Fifth Form Music Scholars spent their August hard at work in blustery Manchester.
Ben C and Hugh S were invited to play with the prestigious National Youth Concert Band. They spent a long weekend in residence at Chetham's School of Music. rehearsing Gustav Holst’s “First Suite in Eb for Military Band”, Edward Gregson’s “Festivo” and Peter Graham’s “Cats Tales”, which culminated in a performance at the Stoller Hall on Sunday 25th August at 2:30 pm.
Conducted by NYCB Musical Director Jonathan Parkes, the band were joined by Guest Conductor Dr Timothy Reynish MBE, whose career has seen him travel the world conducting leading professional, civilian and military bands, alongside serving twenty five years as the Head of School of Wind and Percussion at the Royal Northern College of Music, where he developed the wind orchestra and ensemble to become recognised as one of the best in the world.
The final performance was sublime, with particular praise due to the band, who made a controlled sound, full of rich and varied tone colours throughout the challenging repertoire. Congratulations to Ben and Hugh for their dedication and playing!
