Formed in 2003, Athena Brass is the first all-female brass band in the United States of America.
Their regular performances at the International Womens’ Brass Conferences have gained widespread critical acclaim, with their most recent appearance at the event in Mito City, Japan in 2024 also bringing widespread mainstream media attention.
Underpinned by its commitment of ‘championing the advancement musicians and composers identifying as female’, over the last twenty or so years it has been an inspirational beacon of excellence, attracting musicians to an organisation that also works in a rather unique way.
Inexhaustible commitment
Although based in the USA, the band has no official ‘home’ (although legally incorporated in Texas), with both international tours and domestic concert appearances built around “an inexhaustible commitment” from a wide roster of players to work in preparation for the schedule events.
Underpinned by its commitment of ‘championing the advancement musicians and composers identifying as female’, over the last twenty or so years it has been an inspirational beacon of excellence,
Their debut appearance at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival in Manchester (Saturday 25th – 11.00am) is therefore much anticipated with its programme focus of works written or arranged by female composers.
Beyond thrilled
The current Musical Director is Jessica Sneeringer, a vastly experienced musician and educationalist based in Ohio. She is the Director of Bands at Columbus Academy in Gahanna as well as the Chair of the Performing Arts Department and the Dixon Art Chair Award Recipient, and led Central Ohio Brass Band to a hat-trick of NABBA First Section National titles between 2010 and 2012.
Jessica said that members of the band are “beyond thrilled” at what promises to be “a landmark performance.”
Looking forward to leading the trip to the UK, which will also include a joint concert with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band (Thursday 23rd January - see below), Jessica said that members of the band are “beyond thrilled” at what promises to be “a landmark performance.”
Eccles and Carlton Main
Over 80 players (including some from Japan and Norway) made themselves available, with 40 making the trip itself – with the majority touching down in Manchester on Tuesday 21st January and immediately making their way to the RNCM for their first rehearsal together. After a night’s rest they will meet again in Eccles for further rehearsals, before joining Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band for their joint concert (see below).
Another full day of rehearsals on the Friday will see them fully prepared for their festival appearance on Saturday morning (25th January at 11.00am - see below for ticket information).
Landmark performance
“We are way beyond thrilled at being invited to perform at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival alongside so many great bands and world class soloists,” Jessica said.
“This really is a landmark performance for Athena Brass – one that projects us to a global brass band audience.
“This really is a landmark performance for Athena Brass – one that projects us to a global brass band audience. Our thanks of course go to Prof Linda Merrick CBE and Dr David Thornton for the invitation, and to both the Eccles Borough Band for their generosity in hosting our rehearsals and Carlton Main Frickley for hosting us in a joint concert.”
Hardest decision
Jessica revealed that the hardest decision to make has been to select the band which will make the trip, as every one of the 84 current and new performers all wished to fully commitment both musically and financially to making it a huge success.
“I am continually humbled by the responses I get from players. We are very democratic, so we balance our musical requirements with ensuring the excellence of the experience. Members of Athena Brass fully support one another, so we are able to balance opportunities to debutants and younger members as well to ‘charter’ members who have been with us from 2003.
“I am continually humbled by the responses I get from players. We are very democratic, so we balance our musical requirements with ensuring the excellence of the experience.
On this occasion we could have brought two bands and more. The band that will be featured has a brilliant balance and I’m sure the audiences in the UK are going to be thrilled. We have fantastic soloists for instance and players of the highest quality from top to bottom – professional performers and military musicians, education specialists and professors, students alongside players who balance high profile business careers."
Professionlism
She added: "All though are fully committed to Athena Brass and what we want to achieve together.
I never have to question the levels of professionalism – it’s a real privilege to work with them all.”
The players have had pages upon pages of music sent by email and I know from the feedback, questions, performances queries and communal problem solving that everyone is fully prepared and raring to go. I never have to question the levels of professionalism – it’s a real privilege to work with them all.”
Showcase programme
Jessica also emphasised the importance of being able to showcase a programme of original and arranged works from female composers.
She was particularly delighted that for the RNCM Festival that will include a world premiere ‘Ghosts of Industry’, a major composition by Lucy Pankhurst, as well as ‘The Cosmographic Mystery’, a demanding test-piece by Norwegian composer Ingebjorg Vilhelmsen.
There is also fizzy opener from Naomi Styles, solo works by Lucy, Andrea Hobson and Elisabeth Vannebo and an entertaining finisher from Kelly Marie Murphy.
Magical
“Lucy is a magical composer,” Jessica said. “The way she writes brings so much texture and colour to her music that always has a story to tell. I think ‘Ghosts of Industry’ will certainly resonate with an audience who knows about the link between industrial heritage and brass banding.
Lucy is a magical composer. The way she writes brings so much texture and colour to her music that always has a story to tell.
Ingebjorg is a remarkable young writer for the brass band medium. I know she was recently voted 4BR’s ‘Newcomer of the Year’ and it was fully deserved. Her music, and this piece in particular, has depth to go with the excitement. The players love it.”
Little gem
Jessica continued: “Naomi’s ‘Pandora’s Box’ is a little gem - full of optimism and hope, and Kelly’s ‘O Frabjous Day, Alice Slays!’ I know has been heard before played by Flowers Band, but there is something about the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ story that appeals to a female band and its conductor – it’s much darker than you may initially imagine!”
there is something about the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ story that appeals to a female band and its conductor – it’s much darker than you may initially imagine!”
Solo spotlight
The soloist spotlight for the RNCM will shine on flugel player Jen Oliverio ('Silver-backed Fox’), principal cornet Ashley Hall-Tighe (‘Abrazo’) and the euphonium duo of Bente Illvold and Gail Robertson (‘Ned i vester soli gander’), which will be conducted by Mareika Gray.
“Jen has already made a huge impression with her solo playing in the USA with Fountain City and on her well received CD release ‘Enigma’,” Jessica said. “Both Bente Illvold, through her solo CD ‘Baut’, and Gail Robertson through Brass Band of Battle Creek and many other leading ensembles are acclaimed performers who have gained worldwide respect from their peers and audience alike.”
Having these performers with us to showcase their talents shows the attraction Athena Brass has to players from all areas of the brass and percussion world.
Wow
She added: “I’m sure also that Ashley will wow everyone. She has recently been working with Canadian Brass and her own recently released CD ‘Upcycle’ has impressed the sternest critics.
Having these performers with us to showcase their talents shows the attraction Athena Brass has to players from all areas of the brass and percussion world.”
Catalyst
Although it is a short trip, Jessica told 4BR that she believes that the performance at the RNCM Festival will provide yet another catalyst for a band that continues to champion the advancement of female musicians and composers.
2025 is a landmark year – but only because it will be one to build on even further
“We are also here to learn and listen – and we will be in to hear all the other inspirational performers. We are of course honoured to be here, but Athena Brass has done so much in the past 20 or so years, although compared to others we have only just started.
2025 is a landmark year – but only because it will be one to build on even further.”
Iwan Fox
Images with thanks to Athena Brass.
To find out more about Athena Brass: https://athenabrassband.com/index.php?pg=about
Tickets:
RNCM International Brass Band Festival: https://www.rncm.ac.uk/performance/athena-brass-band/
RNCM, Manchester
Saturday 25th January (11.00am)
Concert with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery:
The Grove Hall
Stockingate (WF9 4QF)
7.00pm
