Euphonium virtuoso Steven Mead has once again been racking up the air miles after returning to the UK following appearances in the USA and Italy.

China

Not that he has stopped for the Summer however, as he is also due to fly in the near future to Macau and to the first Chinese National Solo Competition for Euphonium.

Speaking to 4BR, he said that the Chinese event has been two years in the planning and will see him present two masterclasses and a solo recital, whilst the Macau event will see him perform in concert and provide a masterclass at the Asian Band Directors Conference.

Groundbreaking

"The Chinese event is really groundbreaking," he told 4BR. "We could really see the emergence of a brass playing super power here in the near future!"

Further events already requiring booking into Heathrow are a tenth consecutive visit to a summer course in Trakai, Lithuania and yet another return to Asia.

Increasing numbers

In Trakai, Steven will assist in the teaching of the rapidly increasing number of young brass players as well as perform in concert with the Armed Forces Band and in a gala concert directed by Belgian conductor Luc Vertommen.

Hot bed

Meanwhile, his new role as Artistic Director of the International Wind Ensemble Festival on Jeju Island in South Korea will see him lead an event that has attracted bands and performers from all over the musical world.

"Asia has become a hot bed of brass playing talent – with some remarkable performers already lined up for this event," he said.

The Chinese event is really groundbreaking. We could really see the emergence of a brass playing super power here in the near future!Steven Mead

Back to Europe

Finally, it’s back to Europe and trips to Estonia and France.

He will first appear as guest soloist at the Voru Brass Festival where he will perform four concerts in five days and then to Dieppe to perform at a brass festival on the Normandy coast, before recording a solo CD with organ accompaniment in Laon Cathedral.

Summer to remember

Steve told 4BR: "It’s going to be a Summer to remember for a variety of reasons, as I will be joined on my travels by my fiancé Misa Akahoshi.

Misa is moving to the UK at the end of next week, but we won’t have much time to settle in as we are going to enjoy each musical trip – despite the amount of airline food we will have to eat along the way!"