Members of National Youth Brass Band of Wales selected to represent Europe
National Youth Arts Wales is delighted to announce that three senior members of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales (NYBBW) have been selected to represent Wales in the annual European Youth Brass Band (EYBB) this year.
Alice Tracey, Erin Maloney, and Patrick Miller (who have been members of the NYBBW since 2019) will be traveling to Palanga, Lithuania at the end of April. In addition to representing NYBBW, Alice and Patrick will also be representing Llwyncoed Brass Band and Erin representing Flowers Band.
During the international residency, Alice, Erin and Patrick will collaborate with some of the best young brass band musicians from throughout Europe under the leadership of Philip Harper (former NYBBW conductor and Musical Director of the world-famous Cory Band).
Their time with the European Youth Brass Band will conclude with a series of concerts taking place during the first week of May. The European Brass Band contest will also be held during that week, providing bands from throughout the continent an opportunity to compete for one of the most prestigious awards in the Brass Band calendar.
Commenting on their success, NYBBW Senior Producer Matthew Jones said “Erin, Alice, and Patrick are long-standing, senior members of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales and are all excellent musicians. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to work with top brass band musicians from across Europe, and I do not doubt that they will have a great time while making Wales proud”.
Alice Tracey, one of the three selected members said: “I am so grateful for such a fantastic opportunity and I’m really excited to meet and play alongside musicians from across Europe”.
The EYBB has operated since the early 2000s. It is a great opportunity for talented young brass players across Europe to play and develop together at a continental level for one week. They will perform as a full brass band on various occasions during the European Brass Band Championships 2024, including the European Composer Competition concert, Opening Ceremony, and the Grand Gala Concert.
This year's National Youth Brass Band of Wales programme will soon begin with live rehearsals in mid-March before an 11-day residency and performance tour with venues across Bangor, Carmarthen and Swansea. For more information, visit NYAW’s website.