National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand On Tour

National Youth Brass In Concert.

Come and hear New Zealand’s top under 23 year old brass talent perform their favourite pieces! The National Youth Brass Band auditions annually to find New Zealand's most talented young brass and percussion musicians to attend a summer school of tuition and training under the guidance of the country's leading instrumentalists.

The 2019 band, under the musical direction of David Bremner - the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's principal trombonist, is performing only one concert in Hamilton, New Zealand before heading to Australia for a concert tour.

The concert programme celebrates both the history of brass banding as well as other genres that have influenced brass band music including Big Band, South American, rock music and the magic of Hollywood. The enthusiasm and passion of the musicians is infectious, making the performance an inspiring and musically satisfying experience.

Soloists include Luke Spence with 'Hummel Fantasy' (euphonium); Toby Pringle playing 'Fuego' (cornet); and Lachlan Spence with 'Autumn Leave' (tenor horn) as well as a special guest soloist from the 1959 National Youth Band (the first Youth Band of NZ).

The programme includes 'Aotearoa'; 'Aristotle's Air'; 'Birdland'; 'Mambo Caliente'; 'Sing, Sing, Sing'; 'I've Got You Under My Skin' and a new commission from Jack Bewley, a young and immensely talented composer originally from Whakatane and now studying in Wellington. This varied programme is sure to delight an audience of all ages.

Audience feedback from the 2018 Tour: “It is difficult to describe the effect upon an audience of the raw display of young talent this band presents. When the band played at the new ASB Theatre in Blenheim in January 2018, the band's performance that evening led to one of the most enthusiastic and prolonged standing ovations I ever saw (and participated in!) I am certain that we will see the same quality of performance - and the same exuberant reception - in January next year. We only see this band once every once in a while - don't miss this one!” – Robin Sutherland