Dame Evelyn Glennie to Join NYBBGB for Landmark NHS Easter Concert

Dame Evelyn Glennie to Perform with the NYBBGB

Internationally renowned percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie, will join 90 of the UK’s finest young brass and percussion musicians for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain’s (NYBBGB) 2027 Easter Concert. The event will feature two world premières and will be Dr Robert Childs’ farewell concert as Director of Artistic Planning. 

A Musical Celebration of the National Health Service

Taking place at Saffron Hall in Saffron Walden on Saturday 3rd April 2027, the concert will celebrate the National Health Service through a programme exploring themes of care, compassion, resilience and hope. The event forms part of the NYBBGB’s 75th anniversary year. 

The programme’s inspiration also reaches back to the pioneering healthcare scheme in Tredegar, South Wales, which helped to shape Aneurin Bevan’s vision for a national health service available to everyone. 

Alongside the two world premieres, the programme will feature music by Gustav Holst, Paul Lovatt-Cooper, Karl Jenkins and Gilbert Vinter. Together, the works offer a varied programme, reflecting the NHS’s history and the people who have built, served and relied upon it. 

Glennie to Perform Dreammachine

One of the world’s most celebrated percussionists, Dame Evelyn Glennie will join the NYBBGB Youth Band as guest soloist for this landmark Easter concert. 

Glennie made history as the first person to establish and sustain a full-time career as a solo percussionist, performing internationally with leading orchestras and artists. A double Grammy Award winner, she has commissioned more than 200 works and received numerous international awards and honours. Her appearance continues the NYBBGB's tradition of giving young musicians opportunities to learn from and perform alongside internationally renowned artists.

At Saffron Hall, Glennie will perform Michael Daugherty's Dreamachine in a world première brass band arrangement by Robert Childs. The programme will also feature her performance of Vittorio Monti's virtuosic Czardas and her own reflective composition, A Little Prayer.

World Premiere of Martin Ellerby’s Sinfonia Vita

The centrepiece of the NYBBGB Easter Concert 2027 will be the world premiere of Sinfonia Vita - A Symphony for Life, a major new work for brass and percussion, commissioned from acclaimed British composer, Dr Martin Ellerby.

Inspired by the 80th anniversary of Royal Assent to the National Health Service Act 1946, the work traces the service’s history from its beginnings to the present day, before looking toward its future. Across six contrasting movements, Sinfonia Vita celebrates the people, principles and experiences that have shaped the NHS. 

The commission reflects the NYBBGB's commitment to developing new music and allowing young musicians to perform ambitious repertoire that contributes to the future of brass band music.

Robert Childs to Conduct His Farewell NYBBGB Concert

The Easter Concert will also mark a significant moment in the NYBBGB’s history, as Dr Robert Childs conducts his farewell concert as Director of Artistic Planning before retiring from the role. 

Childs’ association with the organisation spans more than 50 years, having joined the Youth Band in 1974 as a young baritone player, before becoming Principal Euphonium. His journey has taken him through the roles of tutor, guest soloist, guest conductor, Trustee and Chair, culminating in his appointment as Director of Artistic Planning in 2020. 

Reflecting on the concert, Childs said:

“This will be a very special concert for me personally, but above all it is about our remarkable young musicians and giving them an experience they will remember for many years to come. Celebrating the National Health Service has given us the opportunity to create a programme that recognises the extraordinary importance of care, compassion and service in our lives. I’m particularly excited that the Band will give the world première of Martin Ellerby’s Sinfonia Vita – A Symphony for Life, inspired by the NHS.

“To welcome Dame Evelyn Glennie as our guest soloist makes the occasion even more special. After more than 50 years of association with The NYBBGB, I can think of no better way to conclude my time as Director of Artistic Planning than making ambitious music alongside another generation of outstanding young musicians.”

Speaking about the event and its poignancy, CEO of the NYBBGB, Mark Bromley said:

Mark Bromley, CEO of The NYBBGB, said:

“As the NYBBGB enters its 75th year, this concert brings together so much of what makes the organisation special: outstanding young musicians, ambitious repertoire, new music and opportunities to perform alongside world-leading artists. Celebrating the NHS also gives us an opportunity to recognise the extraordinary contribution it makes to our lives, while reflecting on the importance of health and wellbeing for young people and the positive role music can play.

“Bob’s own journey from Youth Band member to Director of Artistic Planning is a powerful example of the pathways The NYBBGB can create. His contribution over more than five decades has been immense, and it is particularly fitting that we celebrate his legacy through a concert in which today’s young musicians perform alongside Dame Evelyn Glennie and give the world première of an important new work by Martin Ellerby.”

Concert details

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Easter Concert 2027Saturday 3 April 2027, 5pm–7pmSaffron Hall, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4UH

Conductor: Dr Robert Childs

Guest Soloist: Dame Evelyn Glennie, percussion

Theme: The National Health Service

Programme:

●      Gustav Holst – Jupiter from The Planets, arr. Stephen Roberts

●      Michael Daugherty – Dreamachine, movements I and IV, arr. Robert Childs – world première brass band arrangement, featuring Dame Evelyn Glennie

●      Martin Ellerby – Sinfonia Vita – A Symphony for Life – world première

●      Paul Lovatt-Cooper – Where Eagles Sing

●      Karl Jenkins – For the Fallen, arr. Robert Childs

●      Vittorio Monti – Czardas, arr. Robert Childs, featuring Dame Evelyn Glennie

●      Evelyn Glennie – A Little Prayer, performed by Dame Evelyn Glennie

●      Gilbert Vinter – Spectrum

Tickets are now on sale and can be booked via the Saffron Hall website

18s and under go FREE, helping more young people and families to experience outstanding live brass band music.