Nicholas Childs

Pr. Nicholas John Childs DMA, MA, FLCM, ARCM (Hons) (born 7 October 1961) is a British musician,teacher/clinician, conductor and interpreterfrom Wales.

Childs is known for his conducting of brass bands, winning numerous championships, his teaching at the university level, and his recordings of brass music. He is also the founder of two brass bands for children.

Early life

Childs was born on 7 October 1961 in Wales. He playing Baritone bras at a very early age with guidance from his father John. Childs first performed with the Tredegar Junior Band and later the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

At age 16, Childs became the Welsh, and British Euphonium Champion. In 1985, he was voted Euphonium Player of the year.

Childs and his brother Bob toured internationally as the Childs Brothers. They debuted in Royal Albert Hall in 1984. and their first Solo album “Childs Play” is one of the largest selling brass CDs. His playing career included Principal Euphonium at Grimethorpe Colliery Band, and Foden’s Band. Later performance appointments included, Euphonium Tutor at the Royal Northern College of Music, Salford University and Huddersfield University.

Childs is married to Alison Childs, an administrator and brass instrumentalist Their daughter Rebecca is also a baritone instrumentalist.

Academic Awards
  • Associate Royal College of Music 1995
  • Fellow of the London College of Music 1996
  • Master of Arts University of Salford 1995
  • Doctor of Musical Arts University of Salford 2002
  • Honorary doctorate from Leeds University 2006
  • Professor of music recording and performance at Leeds University 2009
  • Professor at the Senzoku Gakuen Tokyo, Japan 2014
  • Professor at the Royal Northern College of Music 2016

Discography

To date Childs has conducted one hundred and sixty commercial CD recordings. His works have received CD of the year on twelve occasions including the British Bandsman, Brass Band World magazine and 4barsrest.com

Accolades

Childs has over 100 premiere commissions. Composers who have contributed repertoire include James McMillan, Philip Wilby,[1] Edward Gregson,[2] Peter Graham,[3] Derek Bourgeois,[4] Philip Sparke[5] and Paul Mealor.[6] Child's 100th commission and premiére performance was from composer Bruce Broughton.[7][8]

Championships

Childs has won the following championships:

  • Three European Championships
  • Six National Championships
  • Three British Open Championships
  • Six Scottish Open Championships
  • Six Norwegian National Championships
  • Nine Scottish Championships
  • Thirty-Four Regional Championships
  • Four English Championships
  • One French National Championships
  • One Swedish National Championships
  • Three Grand Shields
  • One All-England International Championships
  • One Brass in Concert Championships [9]

Yorkshire Youth Brass Band

Childs was the Founder of the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band The YYBB is administered by Alison Childs.[10]

National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain

The National Children’s Brass Band was the concept of Nicholas Childs, who is the Music Director from 2006 to date. The band is for brass players from the age 8 - 14.

Former players include: Peter Moore, now co-principal trombone of the London Symphony Orchestra; Adam Neild, Repiano Cornet at Black Dyke; and Harry Cunningham, and past Principal Eb Bass seat at the Queensbury outfit.[11]

International Brass Band Summer School

Childs is the Artistic Director of a brass summer school in Europe, with over 150 students from 10 different countries. Administrator Alison Childs.

References
  1. "Philip Wilby", Wikipedia, 27 November 2019, retrieved 4 July 2020
  2. "Edward Gregson", Wikipedia, 5 December 2019, retrieved 4 July 2020
  3. "Peter Graham (composer)", Wikipedia, 17 April 2020, retrieved 4 July 2020
  4. "Derek Bourgeois", Wikipedia, 3 April 2020, retrieved 4 July 2020
  5. "Philip Sparke", Wikipedia, 4 June 2020, retrieved 4 July 2020
  6. "Paul Mealor", Wikipedia, 19 May 2020, retrieved 4 July 2020
  7. "Bruce Broughton", Wikipedia, 12 June 2020, retrieved 4 July 2020
  8. "Home | Brass Band World". www.brassbandworld.co.uk. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  9. "Home | Brass Band World". www.brassbandworld.co.uk. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  10. "Home | Brass Band World". www.brassbandworld.co.uk. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  11. "Home | Brass Band World". www.brassbandworld.co.uk. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
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