Young Brass Stars lead epic Birmingham Festival

James Fountain, Owen Farr and Matthew White will take the lead in Birmingham Conservatoire’s unique Festival of Wind and Brass on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd February. Former GUS cornet ace and newly appointed Principal Trumpet of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, James Fountain will make his debut with London’s all star brass ensemble, Superbrass and give a Cornet and Trumpet Masterclass. While maestro of the Tenor Horn, Owen Farr will direct the acclaimed Conservatoire Brass Band and give a Masterclass alongside Tredegar’s young virtuoso Solo Euphonium, Matthew White. Both perform in the Conservatoire Faculty Brass Ensemble which also features Alan Thomas (BBC Symphony Principal Trumpet and the City of Birmingham Symphony members Tony Howe (Trombone) and Graham Sibley (Tuba). Birmingham Conservatoire Head of Brass, Chris Houlding is delighted to welcome Superbrass, London’s most exciting brass ensemble lead by Welsh Bass Trombone star Roger Argente in a scintillating programme which also features other Mike Lovatt (renowned Lead Trumpet), Andy Wood (Trombone & Jazz Baritone), Matthew Gee (RPO Principal Trombone) and Swedish Radio Symphony Solo Horn, Chris Parkes. There are still some spaces left if you fancy the chance to play alongside all these great artists in Side by Side Brass Band and Brass Ensemble sessions and with Superbrass or if you prefer you can purchase ‘concert only’ tickets at a give away nominal charge. The Festival kicks off on Friday 20 February with Conservatoire Wind and Brass Ensembles featuring works Gliere and Stravinsky and Elgar Howarth’s iconic arrangement of Pictures at an Exhibition in concert entitled ‘A Blast from Russia”. This promises to be one of the most signifficant events on the West Midlands Arts scence for some years and not to be missed by brass aficionados of all abilities and ages.