Sparke of Inspiration: Reflecting on the 2026 International Brass Band Festival
- Liv Appleton
- 2 hours ago
- 7 min read
Highlights from the 2026 RNCM International Brass Band Festival
Once again, David Thornton and the RNCM team created an incredible showcase of the best our musical movement has to offer. Over the course of the weekend, we were treated to outstanding performances from some of the world’s top bands, innovative musical premieres, impressive introductions to the brass band superstars of tomorrow and the legendary music of the festival’s celebrated composer and one of this author’s musical heroes, Philip Sparke.
Having attended the festival for a number of years now, I have to say that this was the best one yet and in this article, I’ll do my best to narrow down some of the best examples to substantiate why.
Hot Off the Stand: World Premieres Showcased at the RNCM Brass Band Festival
One of the best features of the RNCM International Brass Band Festival is the opportunity to be introduced to a plethora of magnificent new music, from short concert pieces to virtuosic solos and mind-blowing major works. There were so many new works that blew me away, it’ll be hard to narrow down a few favourites, but I shall attempt!
The Green Chapel by Claire Cope
We were introduced to The Green Chapel during Foden’s Band’s performance on Friday night where they were joined by the Bones Apart Quartet. As a lover of history and all things spooky, this work was right up my alley and it made me a firm fan of Cope’s writing. Her ability to create an atmosphere through such descriptive writing and harnessing the power of percussion was incredible. She made it very easy for the audience to see the story of The Green Chapel and the characters involved, including the ghostly presence of the murdered granddaughter, Alice.
Melisande by Phil Lawrence
Performed by the Tredegar Band, Phil Lawrence’s Melisande, was a beautiful major work that told the story of a fun-loving dog. The piece unfolded as a series of vignettes, from the playful escapades of puppyhood to dreamy naptime reveries and the adventurous pursuit of a butterfly. It was a delightful piece that captured the energy and curiosity of its canine subject and brought her to life in vivid colour.
Orbital by Richard Blackford
The piece is the result of a creative collaboration between Flowers Band, Foden’s Band, The Cooperation Band and The Cory Band, which aims to work with composers who haven’t written for brass bands before and what a piece it was! Inspired by the Samantha Harvey novel of the same name, Orbital, tells the story of a group of astronauts and their experiences orbiting the earth. It was a technically challenging work expertly executed by the Cory Band which enabled the adventurous storyline and musical descriptions of the astronauts experiences to shine through.
The Hall of Healing by Simon Dobson
This was not only a highlight of the whole festival, but a highlight of my 22 years in banding! Yasuaki Fukuhara’s performance of this spellbinding percussion concerto by Simon Dobson was a transformative experience and one that has stayed in my mind for the week following the performance. To watch a performer who is so deeply committed to his craft, it’s as if the music was emanating from his very being was a very moving and, one might say spiritual, experience.
Wildfire by Bruce Broughton
An epic work from the pen of an Emmy Award–winning and Oscar-nominated composer, Wildfire was vividly illustrative, capturing the terror and devastation of the fires that ravaged Los Angeles. Broughton not only personified the ferocity of the flames, but also the grief, anger and determination of those affected, with writing so emotionally charged that, as an audience member, you felt drawn into the narrative, seeing the imagery unfold and experiencing every emotion alongside it.
Soloist Showcase
Those who attended the festival were spoilt for choice when it came to solo performances. Every single solo performance left me in appreciative awe and with a desire to practice even harder when I went home. Alongside the standout performance of Yasuaki Fukuhara, there were a few other solo moments that stole the show for me over the course of the weekend.
Chris Robertson - Euphonium Concerto No.2
Chris Robertson is a musician whose name I think will be featured in the history books alongside the other famed soloists celebrated within our musical heritage in years to come. His performance of Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen’s Euphonium Concerton No. 2 was a comprehensive demonstration of Robertson’s skills as a soloist.
Louis Kroni - Dark or Light?
Louis Kroni's performance not only showcased his skills as a performer, but also as a composer having written his work for Soprano Cornet, ‘Dark or Light?’, which was incredibly engaging work that explored contrasting moods and featuring a quotation from Sibelius’ Finlandia. The Soprano Cornet can sometimes be an overlooked solo instrument, reserved for adding a shimmer atop an ensemble sound or showcasing explosive, technical fireworks. However, Louis’ performance showcased why the Soprano Cornet should be respected as a solo instrument through exploring its capabilities both technically, but more importantly melodically with a gorgeous tone.
Brett Baker - Light Fantastic
Philip Wilby’s, Light Fantastic, is an incredible trombone concerto that is so full of character, but demands virtuosic skill from the soloist in order for this character to be appreciated by the audience. Written as a tribute to a man who enjoyed dancing, the work utilises elements from different genres of dance music, from ballet to jive, as well as creative uses of harmon mutes, wah-wah effect and rhythmic motifs to personify the work’s subject.
An Inspirational Glimpse into the Future of Brass Bands
Many people attend the festival to have the opportunity to hear the bands who are currently at the top of their game, which is great. However, it’s the performances that take place in the RNCM Opera Theatre which provides some of the most inspirational and uplifting moments for me. I will always admire and appreciate the incorporation of youth bands within the festivals line up. As someone who has had the opportunity to perform with a youth band (back in the day) and to have the privilege to listen to today’s youth, I can say that it is such a valuable experience both for the bands to have the experience performing at such a prestigious event and for audience members to see the bright future of brass banding.
The performances from both the RNCM Junior Band and the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band had me in tears for all of the right reasons. The standard of these talented youngsters and the passion for their instruments shown within their programmes was nothing short of inspiring.
In a world where access to music is becoming increasingly limited, I have immense respect and appreciation for those committed to keeping youth banding alive and creating opportunities for young people. In a brief conversation with Mark Bousie, Musical Director of the RNCM Junior Band, that commitment was unmistakable; his passion for nurturing the next generation of musicians was clear when he described his work with the youth band as the highlight of his week.
If you attend the festival next year (and I highly encourage that you do) please go and support the youth band concerts. Any fear you have of the survival of our movement will be calmed and replaced with the joy of watching talented young stars shine and sharing the same passion and dedication to their music as the accomplished musicians showcased in the Concert Hall.
Read the full reviews of the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band and the RNCM Junior Band at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival
Sparke at 75: The Celebration of a Musical Legend
Philip Sparke is undoubtedly one of the stand out stars in the firmament of brass band composition. I can honestly say (and I imagine many in our community would agree with this sentiment) that his music helped to fuel my passion for playing and our community as a whole. From my first discovery of his writing through working on Year of the Dragon as a thirteen-year-old to working on Variations on an Enigma and Dances and Alleluias in recent contest performances, his work has featured heavily in the soundtrack of my banding life. So, to spend a weekend revisiting and being introduced to a variety of his incredible compositions throughout the RNCM International Brass Band festival was a joy!
His compositional skill is so outstanding it transcends age, ability and virtuosity, so that everyone within our community has the opportunity to perform works that are challenging, but are so enjoyable and rewarding to play, which was demonstrated throughout the festival. It is therefore little wonder that his work has and will continue to be showcased in our contests and concerts and his writing for our medium will forever be respected and beloved within our community.
So it’s with thanks, that this author says ‘Happy Birthday Mr Sparke and thank you for the music!’ and should our paths cross again at the RNCM Festival or another event - I will summon the courage to come over and say hello, though I will apologise in advance for waffling on about how much I love your music!
The Importance of the RNCM International Brass Band Festival
I would like to once again congratulate and thank David Thornton and the Royal Northern College of Music for such an incredible event and for facilitating this author’s ability to cover it and hopefully offer a glimpse into why it is so special for those who have yet to visit.
It’s absolutely fantastic for an event at such a prestigious location to shine a spotlight on the true repertoire and capabilities our community has to offer, which goes against the stuffy and unfair stereotypes our community continues to have pressed upon us.
Events like the RNCM International Brass Band Festival are so important, not only to try and introduce our movement to a wider audience, but also to influence musical decisions within our movement. The event is a hotbed for new music, especially major works that I think would be welcome within the UK competitive circuit, yet I am yet to see many decision-makers at these events or its influence in the music being chosen for us. I hope to see this change in the future.
That is to say, that I hope that the RNCM International Brass Band Festival will remain in the brass band calendar for many, many years to come. It is such a special weekend that is filled with great music, opportunities to be inspired and to socialise with like-minded individuals.
Bravo to all involved - long may it continue.
Comments