Brass success for Manx by Robert Quane

The Isle of Man has produced a remarkable string of successes at the summer course of the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain (NCBBGB) where auditions have seen young Manx musicians achieve the following seats: Bobby Corkish (Rushen Silver Band), 14, first horn; Ellen Quane (Ramsey Town Band), 12, second first horn; Charlotte Underwood (Ramsey Town Band) 13, first second trombone; Winnie Wood (Ramsey Town Band)/QEII) 15, principal euphonium; Illiam Quane (Ramsey Town Band) 14, principal cornet.

The NCBBGB is made up from brass players from right across Great Britain, all of whom have to audition for the relatively small number of places in the band and then audition for their specific seats. NCBBGB has about 60 members and for the Isle of Man to produce five young players of this standard speaks very highly of the quality of teaching offered by Brass Bands and the Isle of Man Music Service brass peripatetic teachers Jennifer Cook and Paul Hamilton.

For Ramsey Town Band to have four seats in this Premier National standard brass band, including the principal cornet chair, is an amazing achievement by anyone’s standard and further testament to Ramsey’s commitment to young musicians.

Likewise, Rushen must be very proud of the fruit they are starting to see in the likes of the very gifted Bobby Corkish. The NCBBGB is now rehearsing under the baton of Dr Nicholas Childs all week for a gala concert at the Atrix in Bromsgrove, and will meet again to play at the prestigious Bridgewater Hall (home of the Halle orchestra) in September as part of the Great Northern Brass Arts Festival.