Paul Richards, originally from St Austell, returns to the Cornwall Youth Brass Band as Guest Soloist at their four day Residential Course at Truro High School for Girls, Falmouth Road, Truro, over the Easter Weekend. Paul was a member of the Band in the early 1980’s, and followed his Father, Rodney, who was the first soprano player in the Cornwall Youth Brass Band when it was founded in 1955. Paul is now the Soprano Cornet player in The Flowers Band from Gloucester, rated in the top 5 Brass Bands in the World. Their Musical Director, Paul Holland, is Guest Conductor on the Course. Among the Solos featured by Paul will be Feed the Birds, from Mary Poppins, which was arranged specifically for him by Jonathan Bates. Playing this won Paul the Best Soprano Player Prize at the Brass In Concert Entertainment Contest last Autumn, and Best Soloist at the Butlins Mineworkers Contest in January.
Aged between 10 and 21 all the musicians also play with a local brass band and devote many extra hours to their membership of the Cornwall Youth Brass Band, rehearsing monthly with their team of local Conductors and Tutors in preparation for the twice yearly residential Courses, held at Truro High School for Girls, Falmouth Road, Truro.
The Band will also be repeating its successful Open Rehearsal and Audition afternoon on Saturday 15th April from 1-30 to 4-30pm at Truro High School for Girls. This gives young musicians interested in joining the Band an opportunity to observe the Band in action and talk to the local Team of Conductors and Tutors about the simple procedure required to join the Band.
The Band will be giving their End of Course Gala Concert, featuring Paul Richards, at St Michael’s Church Newquay, at 7pm on Monday 17th April. Admission is just £7, with children under 14 free of charge.
Full details of all the events can be found on the Band’s Web Site, www.cybb.co.uk or contact Publicity Officer, Phillip Hunt, 01752 843919, brassmanpgh@uwclub.net