Two young south Warwickshire brass musicians have secured principal positions in the UK’s leading band for children and young people.
In a first for Shipston Town Band, two of its former players Alec Banner and Alex Jeffery have been appointed principal percussionist and principal trombone in the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB).
Both players spent the beginnings of their brass band careers at Shipston Town Band and Alec started at its training band, which is about to launch its new term in September.
The band’s chair, Liz Smith, said: “We are delighted for Alec and Alex and all that they have achieved in becoming principal players in such a prestigious brass institution as the NYBBGB. Huge congratulations to them both. Their stories serve as a great inspiration to those young brass players who may just be starting to play an instrument, and there is no better place to start than at our very own brass academy in Shipston.”
Earlier this year at the age of 17, Alec became the conductor of the training band, guiding budding musicians and helping develop their skills as part of an ensemble.
Alec, who himself started as a beginner with the training band, is now a percussionist with the world-renowned Flowers Band and Principal Percussionist for the Swan Youth Orchestra. He has been the Principal Percussionist of the National Children’s Brass Band, principal percussionist of Youth Brass 2000 and won the Katie Ogden Solo Prize for the percussion section in 2024.
Alex, 18, began playing trombone at 11-years-old. He is a pupil at King Edward VI School, Stratford and is due to begin studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in September. As well as performing with Shipston Town Band he also plays with the National Youth Orchestra, English Schools Orchestra and English Symphony Youth.
Whilst this is the first occasion the band has had two of its former players appointed principals at NYBBGB at the same time, Alec and Alex are the latest in a long line who have become members of the NYBBGB including two of Britain’s leading cornet players Kirsty Abbotts and Luke Barker and percussionist Francesca Lombardelli.
Membership of Shipston’s training band is free. For those without their own brass instrument, the band offers instruments on free loan, with music and rehearsal facilities also provided at no cost. The mentoring group’s guidance is included, ensuring every member has the resources they need to succeed. The band rehearses on Wednesday from 6pm – 7pm.
Subsidised music lessons at only £10 per lesson are also available for those requiring individual tuition from a professional brass teacher via the band’s brass academy.