Latest News
YBS Diamonds Sparkle at British Open Solos!
The YBS Band were proudly celebrating success at the British Open Solos last weekend. All three entrants from YBS Band went home with prizes against top draw competition.
Jamie Smith continued to show his potential with a fine third place finish in the Under 17 section playing Abide with me. This was all the more commendable being still just 13 years old and one of the youngest players to compete. YBS Band Principal Tenor Horn Helen Varley showed her quality by stealing away the Tenor Horn Prize after a fabulous performance of Tyrollean Variations.
Principal Cornet Iain Culross gained third place overall and finished as the highest place soloist from Great Britain after his breathtaking rendition of Slavische Fantasie, a performance that one judge described as "telling a story through music."
YBS have had a further boost with the news that another top class player has joined their ranks in the shape of Jason Barlow, on the front row. Jason brings with him a wealth of experience and adds to already very strong cornet section.
Band Manager Dave Long said "we are very proud of the success achieved by Jamie, Helen and Iain. With Jason coming in it further underlines the quality right throughout the team at YBS and it’s a big boost for us as we prepare for Brass In Concert"
YBS sign Trombone star.
The YBS Band are pleased to announce that Chris Gommersall has joined on principal trombone. Chris who has been studying at the Royal Academy of Music joins from the Leyland Band and has an impressive pedigree that further strengthen the ranks at YBS.
Chris has been a finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year and also previously won the Warwick Music/The Valve National Trombone competition. He has played with the Northern Sinfonia as a Concerto Soloist, the Britten Sinfonia, the English Brass Ensemble and has also played in the European Championships with Grimethorpe Colliery.
YBS Musical Director Morgan Griffiths said this "we're very excited about having Chris join the team here at YBS. He is an outstanding trombone player and without doubt one of the best principal trombones around. He adds to very strong line up of soloists here and has already made quite an impression in the bandroom. We hope he will have a long and distinguished career as a part of the YBS Band."
Chris takes over from Richard Walker in the trombone chair, Band manager Dave Long said "we would like to thank Rich for his commitment to YBS, he's a top bloke and he had to drive quite a distance from Nottingham to get to rehearsals as well as holding down a very demanding job. We are very grateful to Richard and wish him all the very best in the future."
Chris Gommersall will make his debut for YBS this Friday 31st October, 7.00pm at Bradford University where Chris Helme will be giving a lecture about the history of the YBS Band and British Brass Bands in general. If you'd like to hear Chris and the YBS Band then contact Bradford University on 01274 236980 or 01274 233080, alternatively you can contact them by email at hub@bradford.ac.uk. Doors open at 6.40 pm, tickets cost £7.50 or £5 for students.