*
banner

Mead enjoys world music travel log

Euphonium star Steven Mead has been finding out more about some of the emerging brass band nations of the world.

Mead
 

Euphonium virtuoso Steven Mead has been on the road non stop for the last 6 months, taking his euphonium to some of the leading concert venues around the world, as well as participating in some events that had a slight 'missionary' feel to them.

New works

As well as performing several new works with brass and wind bands, Steve has also been engaged with masterclasses and workshops in countries with emerging brass band traditions.

Since February Steve has been to the Netherlands, Spain, Malta, Germany (three times), Switzerland, USA (three times), Latvia, Peru, France, China, Austria (four times), Italy and Lithuania.

Lithuania

He has just returned from a weeklong summer course in Trakai, Lithuania, an event that is now a permanent booking in his diary, and told 4BR:

"The musicians there are so responsive, with seemingly inexhaustible energy. It’s always a tremendous week with conductor Luc Vertommen. This year I played Bizet’s Carmen Fantasy with the band, as well as playing a suite of pieces by Piazzolla with a string quartet in the middle of the week."

I gave the first euphonium masterclass at the Beijing National Music Conservatory at the end of April and there are green shoots of excellence everywhere I wentSteven Mead

Sicily

The week before this Steve played three concerts on the island of Sicily, with the Messina Brass Band, who recently made their debut at the European Brass Championships in Montreux, in what was a very happy 10th anniversary return for the star.

Austria

Just before his Italian trip, Steve delivered a premiere performance of Hermann Pallhuber’s new euphonium work entitled 'Bliss', as part of the famous Promenade Concert Series in Innsbruck, with the popular Stadtmusikkappelle Wilten Band.

The concert followed a three day euphonium masterclass in Innsbruck, and the following day he played a concert with trombonist Lito Fontana and his quartet at the Corinthian Summer Festival in Austria.

Peru

Steve told 4BR that it has been something of a globe trotting few months:

"I was in Lima for the ‘Peru Low Brass Festival’ recently alongside Christian Lindberg. There were over a hundred students on the course and I feel sure that the brass world in South America is continuing to develop well."

He added: "I also travelled to work with the Latvian Brass Band in Riga and was thoroughly impressed with the passion they have there to play in a brass band. The sense of the desire with the musicians embarking with new bands in these countries is truly heart-warming."

China

However, it was the emerging Chinese passion for all things brass that really caught Steve’s imagination:

"The brass scene I found in China is very encouraging. I gave the first euphonium masterclass at the Beijing National Music Conservatory at the end of April and there are green shoots of excellence everywhere I went."

He continued: "I was invited to work with two of the top high school bands in Beijing and was immensely impressed with the discipline and responsiveness of the young musicians."

Italy

And despite the opportunity to enjoy a short break at home, Steve will be on his travels once again after he returns from his final travel log at the Italian Brass week where he is part of an all star line up of 20 teachers including Ian Bousfield and Oystein Baadsvik, as well as other brass players from the Berlin Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.

Short break

"That’s it for a little while," he said breathlessly, although he did reveal that he will be hopping on a plane again in a few days time to enjoy a family break in Egypt.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


SEWBBA

Welsh bands urged to attend Safeguarding seminar

April 2 • A special Safeguarding Training Seminar is to be hosted by the South East Wales Brass Band Association this weekend, with bands urged to attend.


Cheltenham

Cheltenham National Final schedule announced.

April 2 • The weekend of the 13th and 14th September will see 75 bands take to the stage.


Kerkrade

World Music Contest announces test-pieces

April 2 • Works by Jan de Haan, Lucy Pankhurst, Etienne Crausaz, Thierry Deleruyelle and Liz Lane will test bands wishing to be crowned World Champion in Kerkrade next year.


Carlton Brass

95 year old leads Carlton Area celebrations

April 2 • The remarkable Ken Dunkin led the celebrations as CarLton Brass recently won the Midlands Region Second Section title in Bedworth.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for an experienced percussionist. . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, we are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, close to M1 J22


Phillip Littlemore

GGSM, AoBBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Arranger, Teacher and Publisher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd