Composer Paul McGhee has been hard at work over the Christmas period putting the finishing touches to a new work to help Derwent Brass celebrate their 20th anniversary.

Music Foundation

A successful grant application from the PRS for Music Foundation enable the band to commission ask Paul to write a significant new work for the band.

Paul was delighted to accept the challenge and has spent the festive period finishing the untitled 20 minute work, fitting it in with the development of his new website: www.paul-mcghee.co.uk .

Excited

"I'm very excited to be working with Derwent Brass and Keith Leonard on this 20th anniversary commission," Paul told 4BR.

"Having known Keith and the band for many years I'm honoured that they've chosen to include me in their milestone celebration.

Hopefully, we can produce new music that breaks from convention and creates a different experience for the audience, whilst giving the members of Derwent, past and present, something to celebrate their times in the band."

We are looking forward to using it during 2012, after which time it is our intention to make the piece publically available to further encourage the spread of Paul's workMD, Keith Leonard

Premiere

The premiere of the new work will take place in February and the work will be published later for other bands to perform.

MD, Keith Leonard told 4BR: "We are all excited to be working with Paul on this piece.

We are looking forward to using it during 2012, after which time it is our intention to make the piece publically available to further encourage the spread of Paul's work, the Derwent Brass heritage and the ever increasing need to bring greater innovation to the brass band movement."

Something special

Keith added: "It’s wonderful that we have been able to engage a talent such as Paul to create something special for us. It has been delight to collaborate with him and we are looking forward to preparing and performing the work."