This weekend will see members of the 19th European Youth Brass Band (EYBB) travel to Malmö in Sweden for a schedule of events taking place around the European Brass Band Championships (EBBC) 2023, including a performance at the Gala Concert on Saturday 6 May.
The EYBB provides opportunities for talented young brass players from participating countries across Europe to play at an international level, performing at events including the European Soloist Competition concert, opening ceremony and the Grand Gala Concert.
Three performers have been chosen to represent England within the band, selected by Brass Bands England (BBE) in consultation with a panel made up of brass performance experts from across the English conservatoires.
Alicia Davis
Alicia is a cornet student at the Royal Northern College of Music under the tuition of Richard Marshall and Roger Webster. Alicia has enjoyed many courses with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and is currently enjoying her time at the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass band after accepting the Repiano seat last summer. Prior to this she enjoyed her time at the WFEL Fairey Band.
Jamie Reid
Jamie started his brass journey in school, where he first picked up a Euphonium at age 8. Before long, he was attending Golborne training band. Aged 10 he joined the ranks of Lions Youth Brass in Cheshire, where he would play euphonium for six years under the baton of the late Nigel Birch. Jamie has played in the Euphonium and Baritone sections of multiple bands in the vibrant Cheshire scene, including Fodens Youth Band, Cheshire Constabulary and Roberts Bakery, and was a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain in 2016 and 2017. Turning later to the trombone, Jamie became a member of the trombone sections of the Hallé Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra. He is now in his third year studying at the Guildhall School with Simon Wills, Mark Templeton, Eric Crees and Emily White.
Alex Thomson
Alex is a third-year Cornet student at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire studying under Ian Porthouse and Richard Marshall. He started playing at the age of seven and grew up performing in local bands including the Cooperative Youth Band, Lions Youth Brass and Foden’s Youth band. Alex moved on to Soprano cornet when he was 16 after being offered the seat in Lions Youth Brass. During sixth form college he began playing with his local championship section band, Roberts Bakery band. As well as brass banding he enjoys playing with Big Bands and other Jazz Ensembles and has performed with and been taught by performers such as Allen Vizzutti , Mike Lovatt, Phil Cobb and Matthew Ford.
England will also be represented at the European Championships by Black Dyke Band in the Championship Section and Youth Brass 2000, Wardle Academy and Elland Silver Youth bands in the Youth Contest. BBE Chief Executive Officer Kenny Crookston commented: “We wish all our representatives at this year’s European Brass Band Championships the very best of luck, in what we are sure will be another fantastic event. The young players, in particular, can be sure of an unforgettable experience, while Alicia, Jamie and Alex can look forward to a very busy and rewarding week in which they will perform in inspiring venues with other fantastic artists.”
To view the EBBC 2023 schedule of events please visit ebba.eu.com. Live coverage of the contests and gala concert will be available on wobplay.