Rising Star: An interview Megan Newbery, NYBBGB

As Autumn rolls in, students across the UK head off to University to commence the next stage of their education. Some of these, of course, will be studying music and brass playing at some of the finest Universities and Conservatoires and continue the brass tradition across all levels. Some will go onto be the next stars of the movement, taking seats at some of the best bands in the world. Over the summer, I had the opportunity to catch up with one of banding’s rising stars, Megan Newbery, Principal Cornet with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) and, until recently, Assistant-Principal Cornet at the SW Comms Band, based in the small village of Lympstone, Devon. In 2019 the band gained promotion to become the first Championship section band the county of Devon has produced. We sat down to discuss her playing career to date, what it is like to hold the hot seat of the NYBBGB and what the future may hold. 

Your early Playing Career

BBH: When did you start playing and why?

MN: I started playing the cornet at the age of eight. I took part in whole class brass lessons at school, and then had private lessons.

BBH: What attracted you to banding, particularly when Devon is not known for having a brass banding heritage?

MN: My mum used to play in brass bands so from a young age I was surrounded by banding and loved it!

BBH: Who or what were your earliest musical influences?

MN: My first cornet teacher, Adrian Nuthall (Ady), has to be one of my biggest earliest musical influences. My lessons with him were great, and he always made them fun and enjoyable. My mum played flugel and cornet as well, and her help and support was also fantastic.

BBH: Can you give me an insight into your daily practice routine?

MN: I aim to practice for around an hour every day, depending on what I have planned that day or my college commitments. I start with a warm-up which includes things such as long tones, lip flexibilities, finger dexterity exercises and tonguing exercises. After I have covered these areas, I move on to studies, pieces, or whatever I am working on at that time. I like to plan my practices and I find ticking things off once I’ve done them really helpful and motivating. I think it’s also really important to play something you enjoy as well as all the fundamental aspects.

SW Comms

BBH: When did you join SW Comms - how did it come about?

MN: I joined SW Comms in November 2015 at the age of eleven. I had previously played with the Training Band (now Academy Band) for a few years, where I worked my way up to Principal Cornet. Playing with the Training Band was amazing for my development as a player, and Roger Riggs who conducts the band was, and still is, very enthusiastic and encouraging, which really motivated me to improve my playing. I joined SW Comms on back row cornet eventually became Assistant Principal.

BBH: What are your highlights from your time with the band?

MN: I have enjoyed many concerts and contests with the band, but one of my contesting highlights has to be winning the 2017 West of England First Section Area and qualifying for the National Finals. Other highlights include being the featured soloist for entertainment contests and playing at local high profile events such as Classics Galore.

BBH: As you’ve alluded to, in just the last few months you’ve taken home two solo prizes at the Welsh Open and Whychavon - could you tell us a bit more about this? 

MN: Yes, I was very happy to win the best soloist prizes at those two contests. It was great to get back to contesting after a long break. Last year during lockdown I entered some online solo contests and a highlight from this was being in the final three for the Geneva Heritage International Cornet Slow Melody Competition. I also won the Katie Ogden cornet category this Easter at NYBBGB, and competed in the Harry Mortimer Solo Competition this summer.

National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain

BBH: For those unfamiliar, can you give an insight into what the NYBBGB is and what it is like? 

MN: The National Youth Brass Band is a band that brings young people from all over the country together for two week-long courses per year, with the occasional added concert here and there. We are lucky enough to be tutored by the world’s best brass band musicians and conductors and spend the course preparing a programme for a concert at the end of the week. During the course, we not only take part in rehearsals, but also have solo competitions, masterclasses, and lots of opportunities to socialise with like-minded people.

BBH: What made you want to join the NYBBGB? What was the audition process like?

MN: Before joining the NYBBGB, I was a member of the National Children’s Band where I was encouraged to audition for the youth band. The audition process was not scary at all, and I’d encourage anyone who is thinking about it to go ahead and do it!! In the audition, I had to play one solo, a few scales, and then do a bit of sight reading.

BBH: What do you enjoy about being a member?

MN: I feel very lucky to play in arguably the best youth band in the UK, and enjoy not only the playing side of things, but also the social. I have made friends for life in this band and will always remember my time with the NYBB.

BBH: What opportunities have arisen for you as a result of being in NYBBGB?

MN: Lots of opportunities have arisen for me. Being in NYBB has exposed me to top level brass band players, which has not only inspired me, but also has led to me having lessons with the likes of Richard Marshall and Tom Hutchinson. If it wasn’t for this exposure, I would not have been playing in concerts with bands such as Black Dyke and Cory, and I definitely would not have developed so much as a player. Being in the band has really improved my playing, from my sight-reading skills to my development as a person.

BBH: This year you were appointed principal cornet - firstly what did this mean to you? Can you tell me how the appointment of principal positions work? 

MN: It was amazing to be appointed principal cornet- I actually couldn’t quite believe it when it was announced! I’m very lucky to have a great supportive team of solo cornets that made both courses very enjoyable. It meant a lot to be sat in this seat, and is something I have worked hard towards for the last few years. Of course, there is added pressure, but it was a privilege to be chosen as Principal Cornet for both the Easter and summer courses.

Moving Forwards 

BBH: Who are your current teachers? 

MN: I currently have lessons with Richard Marshall, Principal Cornet player of Black Dyke Band. We have our lessons over zoom as it would be quite far to travel every other week! I am going to be studying at the Royal Northern College of Music in September where Richard will be my cornet tutor so it will be great to be able to have regular in person lessons!

BBH: Earlier this year, you played for Cory at their concert at Bridgwater - what was this like? 

MN: Yes, it was an amazing experience! I travelled to Wales a few days before to take part in a rehearsal and then did the concert on the Sunday. It was great to play with the band. I also recently played solo cornet with Black Dyke, (funnily enough also in Bridgwater!) which was another equally amazing experience.

BBH: What are your hopes and aspirations for the future? 

MN: As I mentioned before, I am going to be studying at the Royal Northern College of Music in September, and hope to pursue a career in music. Whilst there I would love to play in bands at the top level, and it would be great to play at prestigious contests such as the National Finals in the Royal Albert Hall and the British Open. I would also like to develop my soloist playing and take as many performance opportunities as I can.

BBH: If you could do a cornet duet with any one cornet player, past or present, who would it be?

MN: Ooo, this is a difficult one! There are so many fantastic cornet players that have influenced me on my musical journey so far, but it would be great to do a duet with my teacher Richard!

Thanks for taking the time to participate in this interview Megan. We wish you all the best for the future and will follow your career with interest and, who knows, perhaps we'll see you at the Yorkshire Areas in 2023.