A most welcome return visit was made on Saturday evening to a packed Saint Dionysius church, with some audience members in the galleries, by Youth Brass 2000. Their visit proved a real showstopper and foot tapping event for the highly appreciative audience who were delightfully entertained by a group which has won the National Youth contest eight times!
The Young Musicians excelled in a varied programme under the guidance and direction of their Conductor Gary Fountain and with continuity announcements from Cheryl Powell.
A bonus in the concert was the playing of four talented and gifted soloists: Cornetist Christopher Oddy, Flugel horn player Jake Humphries; Trombonist Greta Hancock and Melody Powell on Euphonium all four have played with the National Youth Brass Band G.B.
The varied and entertaining programme’s first half included Napoli, Breezing Down Broadway, Bring Me Sunshine and the iconic James Bond theme.
The second part started with the rousing Death or Glory followed an arrangement of Nessun Dorma and the melodic and at times haunting Vaughan Williams Folk Song Suite. The band took us back in time with the theme to Hawaii Five O before concluding a wonderful and rewarding evening’ entertainment with the classic Valero.
This really was a super evening of quality entertainment by a versatile group of Young Musicians excelling on the range of Brass instruments: played and perhaps a special mention to for the diligence and dexterity the timpanists in their contributions.
A real rousing way to welcome a Bank Holiday and a “smashing” resounding antidote to much of the gloom based around prevalent news stories. Thank you, Youth Brass 2000, for a most entertaining and enjoyable evening. Bravo!!
Les Dodd