BRASS BAND NEWS BY AL ASTAIR WARREN AND BARNEY MEDL AND
JOHN
MAINES RETIRES FROM NATIONAL YOUTH
BRASS BAND OF GREAT BRITAIN
Announcing his retirement, John said ‘After 42 years as a member of the music staff of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) I now feel it is time for me to retire from this great organisation. My wonderful association with the NYBBGB started in 1963 as a young trombone player where I made my many lifelong friends. A few years later, in 1979, I was invited by Harry Mortimer to become trombone tutor of the Band. I held that position for 30 years until passing it on to a younger pool of tutors. I then took on the responsibility of Librarian and conducted the NYBBGB audition sessions around the country. I was honoured to be installed as a trustee of the Band. I have enjoyed my many happy memories during my time with the NYBBGB and the National Children’s Brass Band working alongside some world class conductors, soloists, and some of the finest instrumental tutors on the planet. As well as the obvious musical side of things the social life has been tremendous with the legendary quizzes, informal concerts and not forgetting all the ‘unofficial’ staff meetings! I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of staff, tutors and the thousands of players through the years for making my time with the NYBBGB/NCBB such a memorable experience.’ Looking back on his long career John shared a couple of memorable moments for readers of The Trombonist. ‘When I was 13 I joined a very good band in Birkenhead called the Cammell Laird Works Band, sadly no longer in existence. I was allowed two afternoons off school to attend rehearsals and would travel by bus to Birkenhead. On one occasion the bus broke down and JOHN MAINES
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