Since I posted my last body copy I have completely re-written my article because the original was too long to fit onto two pages. I also felt that there was a lot of irrelevant information so I have re-written it more concisely so that I don't bore my reader and so that it fits onto two pages.
We are the champions
Over the past few years Youth Brass 2000 has been on a winning streak and they are beginning to seem unstoppable.
The band have always competed in competitions and festivals all year round but 2013 is the first time they have held all of the national titles in one go. Three months into the year the band already held three titles with an abundance of other awards to go with them.
At the end of 2012 they received news that they had been selected as the BBC Radio 2 Youth Band of 2013. Who receives this award is determined by a panel of the best brass players in Britain so to be awarded the accolade left them all ecstatic. In January they travelled to the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester to compete in the BBC Radio 2 Young Musician of the year contest as a follow on from winning the award. Whilst there they competed against their own principle, Thomas Fountain, and Josiah Walters to become the BBC Best Young Musicians of the year. Although they didn’t win their performance was aired on Come Follow the Band on Radio 2 later in February.
However the weekend before they competed at Manchester, they travelled to the Butlins Skegness resort to compete in the Butlins Mineworkers Championships. Here they succeeded in retaining their title making 2013 the 5th year in a row they have won and they are all looking forward to going for the double hat trick next year. Whilst at Butlins they were also invited to perform alongside Chad Shoopman, a leading American trumpeter. Thomas Fountain, the principle cornet, had the amazing opportunity of playing a trio with his older brother, James Fountain, and Chad. “Performing with Chad Shoopman was an unbelievable experience and something I'll never forget!”
They then had a week to catch their breath before travelling to Blackpool for the National Youth Brass Band Entertainment Championships the first weekend in February. In the Entertainment championships they performed a Glenn Miller themed set dressed in 1940s American style army uniforms complete with choreography. They came away from the competition as the overall winners along with 8 of the other 12 awards available.
I got the opportunity to meet with Thomas Fountain, principle cornet, and Jack Wilson, soprano cornet, after they both won solo awards at the Entertainment Championships.
Tom, you’ve had a successful year so far being awarded BBC under 18 soloist of 2013, best soloist with both Youth Brass 2000 and Virtuosi GUS band at the Butlins Mineworkers and best solo cornet at the Blackpool entertainment Championships. What does it feel like when you win an award?
It feels good as you know you've stood out from the rest and must have done something right.
Is this the first award you’ve won at the Entertainment Championships?
No, I won the solo prize last year as well. It's nice to be the first person to win it twice and also consecutively.
Having won so many awards you must be a good player. What other bands do you play in apart from Youth Brass 2000?
I play in the Virtuosi GUS band, National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, Territorial Youth Band of the Salvation Army, County Youth Band and the School Band.
You must be busy playing with all of those bands? How many hours do you practice in a day?
At least an hour probably!
You’ve been in the band for 3 years now, what made you join Youth Brass 2000?
Well Chris jeans had spoken to my dad and so I went along for a rehearsal and loved it so carried on.
Jack, you won best soprano cornet at the recent Blackpool Entertainment Championships, have you won awards before?
Er, yeah I have won a few.
When did you win your first award?
My first award was winning my local bands junior section solo award when I was around 9 or 10 but that was on cornet as opposed to Soprano Cornet.
How long have you been playing soprano cornet?
I started playing soprano cornet in October last year.
Wow, you must be really good to have won an award already? What does it feel like when you win an award?
It feels really amazing. I feel so glad that I played well and play such wonderful instruments.
What got you interested in playing soprano cornet?
Well I have always fancied playing sop from an early age because of all the really high lyrical lines that sound amazing when they sit on top of the big brass band sound. I also enjoy the role which the soprano has within the band.
Do you play in other bands like Thomas?
Yes, I also play for the Virtuosi GUS band, Northamptonshire County Youth Brass Band and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.
What made you join Youth Brass 2000?
I originally came to help Youth Brass out at the Manchester contest but I enjoyed it so much I decide to join.
Finally in April Tom, Jack and the rest of the band will return to the Royal Northern Collage of Music to compete in the National Youth Championships. Last year they won for the first time in the history of the band are all feeling the pressure to retain it in this years contest. We here at Brassed Off wish them all the best in doing so.
Sarah Johnson
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