June 20, 2019—The inaugural course of the newly founded National Youth Brass Band of America (NYBBA) will culminate with a public concert at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 22, in the Potter Hall Theater at Missouri Western State University. The concert is free and open to the public.
Founders Helen and Lee Harrelson established NYBBA to support and develop the growing youth brass band community in the U.S.A. The inaugural course at Missouri Western this week has allowed students age 23 and under to explore the brass band genre while providing them with the opportunity to perform at the highest standards, improve their musicianship and explore future musical horizons. Students spent time during the course with some of the country’s leading performers and educators in the forms of lessons, clinics, and sectionals.
The founding musical director is Dr. David King, currently the International Chair in Band Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, UK. For over 40 years, David has had a distinguished career as an international conductor, instrumentalist and music educator and is one of the world’s most prolific brass band advocates.
“This is an exciting time for the youth movement in the US,” said Helen Harrelson. “We have such a strong team invested in the success and development of this project and we are beyond thrilled to welcome Professor King as Founding Musical Director. He brings with him an immense amount of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm that will be fun, inspirational and challenging for the students.”
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.