An exhausted, but deeply satisfied Steven Mead has spoken to 4BR about his delight at the response he has received from the many hundreds of people who attended the recent International Tuba & Euphonium Conference (ITEC) in Linz, which he took the organisational lead.

Incredible

"It really was incredible. I have to admit that a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders now that it’s over," he admitted.

"My phone has been buzzing since it ended – with calls to say thanks from people from all around the musical world."

Magnificent

The week long festival of all things low brass took place amid the magnificent surroundings of the Brucknerhaus in the city, the venue for the 2010 European Brass Band Championships – and which proved to be the perfect hub of brass activity for the entire seven days.

Savour

Paul Riggett of Sterling Instruments was one of the caravan of traders who made the trip to Austria, and found the whole experience one to savour.

"Simply magnificent," he told 4BR.

"The standard of the organisation, the space given to each of the many international traders, the quality of musicians, and the way everyone was made to feel a part of ITEC made it one of the very best festivals I have come to. Steven Mead and his team did a quite brilliant job and were rewarded for their efforts with a memorable event."

I have to thank everyone who made this ITEC event possible. It just shows what a fabulous lower brass community we have in the musical worldSteven Mead

Rubbing shoulders

The conference saw 105 events packed into the seven days with music making literally from dawn until dusk.

Stars such as Wycliffe Gordon and Mnozil Brass rubbed shoulders with players from all around the world – including a quite incredible euphonium player from Columbia who made the trip so that he could perform a solo six minute spot.

Mind boggling

"What a musician," Steven laughed. "He’s doing a type of free jazz expression course in Switzerland at the moment, but what he could do on a euphonium was simply mind boggling — including playing it with a bassoon reed! I can’t wait to try out the technique for myself."

Thanks

For now though Steven will reflect on a conference that has given him a great deal of pesoibnal as well as professional satisfaction.

"I have to thank everyone who made this ITEC event possible. It just shows what a fabulous lower brass community we have in the musical world."