RNCM Students Reach Semi-Finals of 2015 BBC Young Brass Award

RNCM brass students David Gillson, Josh Cirtina and Adam Bokaris are three of eight musicians to reach the semi-finals of the 2015 BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award.

2014 finalist and fourth year cornet player David, second year trombonist Josh, and first year euphonium player Adam will compete for a place in the Final at the BBC Philharmonic Studio, MediaCity, on Saturday 31 January. Each semi-finalist will perform up to 10 minutes of music, accompanied by the Brighouse and Rastrick Band and conductor Alan Morris, with judges Jamie Prophet, an RNCM alumnus and Principal trumpet of the BBC Philharmonic, and Stephen Roberts, founder member of The Fine Arts Brass Ensemble, choosing four to go through to the Finals.

The Young Brass Award was originally launched as the Young Brass Soloist Award in 2004 and since then has gained a strong track record for spotting talent. The RNCM has featured prominently throughout the decade, with past winners including alumni Katrina Marzella (Solo baritone, Black Dyke band), Lewis Musson (Solo euphonium, Central Band of the Royal Air Force), Ben Thomson (Principal tuba, Orchestra of The Royal Opera House), and Matthew White (Solo euphonium, Cory Band).

The Finals of the 2015 competition will be broadcast live from the RNCM Concert Hall on Friday 27 March.

15 December 2014