The Irish Youth Brass Band. Photo: Mark Stedman.JPG

Two concerts from Irish Youth Brass Band this weekend

The Irish Youth Brass Band, the youth brass band for the entire island of Ireland, will perform iconic and much loved standards for brass band in the two concerts taking place in Kilkenny on Saturday 3rd November and Dublin on Sunday 4th November.
The concerts will be a reflective journey around Ireland and the United Kingdom, with music hailing from places and composers across both islands. The performances will feature the iconic 'The Gael' from ‘Last of the Mohicans’, the Welsh traditional military piece 'Men of Harlech', Percy Grainger’s arrangement of the traditional Irish tune from County Derry, 'Cry of the Celts' arranged by Peter Graham and the formidable 'Dark Side of the Moon' by Paul Lovatt-Cooper. Concerts will take place in St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny at 4pm on Saturday, and in the John Field Room of the National Concert Hall at 3.30pm on Sunday.
The musicians will be conducted by Brendan Breslin, winner of the National Association of Brass Band Conductors Competition 2016/2017 and prize winner of 'Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan' Composition Competition 2017. The highly accomplished young musicians of the ensemble come from across Ireland and will work intensively in a five day residential course in Kilkenny College with some of Ireland’s top brass and percussion tutors.

The IYBB made its inaugural musical journey in July 2017, affording brass and percussion musicians the opportunity to come together in this flagship ensemble, to share their passion for brass and percussion ensemble repertoire, more specifically that of the brass band nature. As youth musicianship continues to flourish across Ireland, the IYBB will create a focal point for continued progression and education in this field. With support from the Royal Irish Academy of Music, the young musicians will have the opportunity to engage with some of the finest brass and percussion instrumentalists that comprise the Artistic Team. With learning, collaboration and fun amongst the core values of the IYBB, the five-day course will include specific technical training, performance preparation, group projects and activities. With a professional vision and friendly spirit, the young musicians of today will be afforded the opportunity to develop new skills and broaden their social and cultural horizons. The IYBB will provide an important ‘next step’ for brass and percussion musicians to help them forge new links, and guide them forward into future pathways. With such strong guidance from the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras, the young instrumentalists shall be engaged, supported, and inspired.

Tickets are €15 / €10 concession and are available on the door (Kilkenny) and from nch.ie (Dublin).