Lia Joins the National Youth Brass Band! Lia in Year 10 has passed her audition for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. Back in July she also successfully completed 3 courses with the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain. Lia explains: “I played on my first course with the NCBBGB in July 2016 and have since completed 2 more courses in 2017 and 2018. The NCBBGB consists of the top 60 under 14s (brass musicians) in the country. They work with some of the world’s best brass musicians as well as their top class conductor, Prof. Nicholas Childs, conductor of the world famous Black Dyke Band. The NYBBGB works in very much the same way. They also receive tuition from world class brass musicians and their conductor is Bramwell Tovey, who has worked with esteemed brass bands and orchestras alike. The standard is much higher and consists of the top 80 under 18s (brass musicians) in the country that are well above the Grade 8 mark. I was only 1 of 2 that represented Cornwall at NCBBGB. I am very privileged to have attained the minimum requirement for the NYBBGB as most of the past alumni have become phenomenal musicians that are acclaimed worldwide. I have yet to find out whether I have been invited to the next course, as there is limited seating! Only 2 cornet players have left this year, so I may not get a seat. However, just to know that I’m good enough to have a shot is a great feeling.” Pictured: Lia performing the Last Post at the Penrice Academy Remembrance service, 2017.