One of the banding movements rising compositional stars will be enjoying leading a pretty unique concert in Truro on April 30th.

17 year old A level student Daniel Hall will conduct the reigning West of England First Section Area champion St Austell in an evening that will feature no less than seven premieres of his works.

Daunting prospect

However, the daunting prospect doesn’t seem to be fazing the personable young Cornishman, who also plays solo cornet with the band.

"I’m really looking forward to the concert in Truro College on 30th April," he told 4BR. "The band has given me a wonderful opportunity and has been working so hard on each of the eight pieces (one has been played before), that I just feel nervous and excited."

Array of works

The amazing array of works to be featured includes concertos, solos, concert pieces, fanfares and a Championship Section level test piece.

Daniel added: "My tenor horn concerto called ’Lyonesse’ will be played by St Austell’s solo horn player Thomas Howard who commissioned it, whilst the euphonium concerto, ‘Catalyst’ will be played Matthew Rowe, who is principal euphonium with the Tongwynlais Band.

‘Mellifluous’ will see the talented Daniel Wilmott as the featured trombone soloist, whilst Yasmin Stephens will play with flugel solo ‘Starry Night’."

Invaders

Just taking time to draw breath he added: "There is a march called ‘Invaders from the North’, inspired by the Viking raids and the fanfares ‘Lance’ and ‘Heaven Shower’ which was premiered at the Royal Opera House in London last year."

The band has given me a wonderful opportunity and has been working so hard on each of the eight pieces, that I just feel nervous and excitedDaniel Hall

Test piece

And as for the test piece to round off the collection, for a composer who started writing for brass band aged just 12?

"That’s called ‘Aengland’ – the old Norse spelling," he said. "It’s a difficult work inspired by the Vikings once more and aimed at Championship Section level, but the band is playing it brilliantly.

Hopefully it will be heard by someone from another band or contest promoter who may want to try it out for themselves."