Tag: Percussion

on by GUS Editor

Jordan wins BBC Young Musician 2022!

The GUS Band are absolutely delighted that Jordan Ashman has been crowned BBC Young Musician 2022.

His Grand Final performance of Jennifer Higdon’s ‘Percussion Concerto’ accompanied by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra under Mark Wigglesworth, saw Jury Chairperson Anna Lapwood state: “Jordan’s performance started not with loud, flashy playing, but with exquisite, gentle beauty.

He held the entire room throughout that delicate opening and kept that magic through his whole performance. Jordan combined emotional expression with an easy, assured technique, and moments of brilliance that made all of us catch our breath.”

The band are immensely proud of Jordan and are thrilled for the whole family, many of whom have long-standing connections with the band; GUS Chairperson, Dave Elliott: “There has been a long connection with the Ashman family, with both Dad, Darren, and Aunt, Jo, having been former members. So, when Jordan came along as a young teenager we were thrilled to welcome him. His talent was obvious from the outset, but his musical development has been astonishing and a privilege for all of us at GUS to witness; Jordan is deserving of all the plaudits coming his way”.

Jordan started playing piano from the age of five, but before long, wanted to try something ‘cooler’. Drum kit was his choice, expanding into orchestral percussion after a father-and-son project to create a 3.5 octave xylophone. By the age of 13, he already had two Grade 8s – in orchestral percussion and in drum kit.

As well as playing with GUS, Jordan has played with the National Children’s Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, as well as Youth Brass 2000.

Jordan has recently signed with the Tredegar Band and has commenced his studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and we wish him all the best in what is sure to be the start of an incredible career.

Photo credit: BBC

on by GUS Editor

New Duo at GUS!

The GUS Band are delighted to welcome two new players into its ranks. The percussion section is joined by the young but already vastly experienced Evie Elliott.  Having begun playing at the age of ten and purchasing her first drum kit in the first week of picking up her sticks, Evie began her musical experience in orchestras.  Coming from a musical family, (her grandfather having played cornet in the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band) she progressed through the Northamptonshire Music Service, (NMPAT) and was introduced to brass bands through her teacher at that time, John Bickerdike.  Evie continues to do orchestral work and is now mentored by top drummer Craig Blundel but she still finds time to enjoy her other favourite hobby, baking.

Meanwhile, the GUS Band cornet section greets Sam McCoy, a highly talented player and another person to come through the ranks of the Northamptonshire Music Service.  A Salvationist, Sam attends the famous Kettering Citadel Corps and joins the band after a long spell playing for the Kibworth Band.  Although a fine cornet player, he harbours a wish to play the Mongolian Nose Flute.  The band may well be looking for a nose flute concerto accompanied by brass band for our next concert; watch this space!

We look forward to them both contributing to the band’s continued success

on by GUS Editor

New GUS Signing Hits the Right Note!

We are pleased to announce that the incredibly talented, Owen Yarrow, has joined the GUS band.

Owen is no stranger to the world of brass bands, with both of his parents having played in brass bands for most of their lives, there was little chance that Owen wouldn’t be joining the movement.

Owen started playing the tenor horn in 2013 for the Tilbury Youth Band, where under the guidance of Charlotte Treadaway he was introduced to the concept of hitting rather than blowing an instrument. A few years later Owen moved onto cornet at the Aveley and Newham band, but continued to play percussion to a high standard, and joined the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain in 2018, having passed both cornet and percussion auditions.

In 2019, and after a relocation to the Midlands, Owen’s increasingly dominant percussive tendencies led him to switch to percussion and in 2020 he passed his audition for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and has recently completed his first course.

Since moving to the Midlands, Owen has also joined Youth Brass 2000 under the baton of Chris Jeans who subsequently introduced him to GUS. Chris commented “The relationship between the GUS Band and YB2K is stronger than ever, at only 15 years old, Owen has become the youngest member of the band, but plays to a standard well beyond his years on both tuned percussion and kit.”

Owen’s first competition with the band will be none other than the National Brass Band Championships at the Royal Albert Hall next month, not a bad one to start off with!

Photo Credit: Youth Brass 2000