Premieres, performances and recordings
Grateful and happy to be on the road with a cautious return to live music in July - performances, recordings and plans for Surtaal Celebrates, a brand new collaborative project (more soon). Thanks to everyone for helping make this happen.
Travels away included my first concert with Grimethorpe Colliery Band conducted by David Thornton at Lichfield Cathedral where the first piece of their first concert back incorporated Diamond Fanfare, the first piece I wrote for brass band. A lot of firsts! They also recorded this for World of Sound. I met with RSVP Bhangra for a festival gig - they play a focus role in Surtaal Celebrates. Recordings of two pieces with Hepworth Band including my new commission Rhythm of Light which celebrates the life and work of sculptor Barbara Hepworth. Lydbrook Band with Ian Holmes played my Hear the Call to an appreciative audience at Malvern Bandstand, as did Elland Silver Band in a service to commemorate the NHS at Halifax Minster.
With L-R clockwise Grimethorpe Colliery Band, David Thornton at Elsecar Heritage Centre and Lichfield Cathedral, Hepworth Band, Ryan Watkins, Lydbrook Band, Ian Holmes, Elland Silver Band at Halifax Minster, RSVP Bhangra,
Connections around the world from New Zealand to Australia, Canada and the USA - and a special performance next year in the Netherlands.
Connections around the world from New Zealand to Australia, Canada and the USA - and a special performance next year in the Netherlands.
'Landscapes' and 'Shadow cast by the sun' from 'Rhythm of Light', recorded by Hepworth Band and conducted by Ryan Watkins, will be broadcast on Radio 3 Sunday 29 June. 'Rhythm of Light' was commissioned in 2021 to celebrate the life and work of sculptor Barbara Hepworth.
'Landscapes' and 'Shadow cast by the sun' from 'Rhythm of Light', recorded by Hepworth Band and conducted by Ryan Watkins, will be broadcast on Radio 3 Sunday 29 June. 'Rhythm of Light' was commissioned in 2021 to celebrate the life and work of sculptor Barbara Hepworth.
'Beyond the Light', one of two tracks on the Grimethorpe Colliery Band album 'Postcards from Grimethorpe' conducted by Jack Stamp, was broadcast on the new Radio 3 series, Brass Banding with Hannah Peel.
'Beyond the Light', one of two tracks on the Grimethorpe Colliery Band album 'Postcards from Grimethorpe' conducted by Jack Stamp, was broadcast on the new Radio 3 series, Brass Banding with Hannah Peel.

After a sellout event last year, Youth Brass in Concert is back – and it’s sure to be bigger and bolder!
Join us the day after the 48th Brass in Concert Championship to witness seven of the UK’s best youth bands compete for the prestigious title of Youth Brass in Concert Champions. Expect a level of creative programming and musical calibre which proves that the future of brass banding is in seriously good hands.
Celebration and passion lie at the heart of the show, so whether you’re a seasoned brass fan or new to the scene, you do not want to miss this day.

The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference offers guests interested in music education an array of clinics and exhibits, as well as access to music and teaching icons. The conference will also focus on industry trends and future topics in business and music education. With more than 18,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 40 countries, The Midwest Clinic offers music educators and musicians alike an unmatched networking opportunity.