National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain

The National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain came into being in 2004 for the most gifted and talented children in the country aged between 8 and 14 years who play a brass instrument. It was the brainchild of Dr. Nicholas Childs, Council member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and now Music Director of the NCBBGB. Since 2004, under the direction and leadership of Nicholas and supported by a dedicated team of staff, the band has staged an annual residential course in the summer at Bromsgrove School in Worcestershire. Each year the course has expanded and now runs for a full week and each year the band has grown in membership to the current record level of 56 members.

The National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain has been very adventurous with its commissioning programme and has commissioned Philip Sparke, Philip Wilby, Paul Lovatt-Cooper and Peter Meechan to write major new works in recent years.

Over the years the repertoire performed has become far more advanced, a challenge the band has met with ease. The band regularly performs to a sell-out audience at its end of course concert. Since 2004, 40 players have graduated from the NCBBGB to the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. The National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain also performs concerts outside of its residential courses and in September 2009 will be performing for the second time at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.