It has been announced that the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama Brass Band will head to Canada next month, to appear as guest artists in the 35th Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo.

Inclusion

The inclusion of the band under the baton of Dr Robert Childs as part of the cast of over 2000 international performers was revealed at the official RNSIT media launch, which took place in Nova Scotia’s capital, Halifax.

Flabbergasted

Dr Childs told 4BR that he was ‘flabbergasted’ by the invitation to the world famous event: "Since we introduced the Brass Band Pathway into the BMus (Hons) degree course ten years ago, the RWCMD Brass Band has grown in strength and ability year on year," he said.

"When the invitation arrived in my email box in March I was absolutely flabbergasted! On getting the green light to proceed from RWCMD Head of Brass and Percussion Kevin Price, I contacted Assistant Producer, Jim Forde and our participation was confirmed."

Millions

The RWCMD Brass Band will join the new North American Brass Band Summer School Band (NABBSS), plus a selection of leading international military bands in performances to over 60,000 people at the 10,000 seat Metro Centre in Nova Scotia, as well as millions throughout the world due to the event’s extensive television coverage.

Leading performers this year come from Canada, Denmark, Germany, Russia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

New works

Euphonium star David Childs, who will also feature as a soloist at the Tattoo, and will perform with the band as guest soloist.

The event organisers have commissioned 15 new brass band arrangements from Principal Arranger, Major Denis Burton, Director of Music of the United Kingdom’s Band of the Royal Welsh, for this year’s show.

Delighted

Tattoo Artistic Director Doctor Colonel Ian Fraser told 4BR: "I’m delighted that the RWCMD Brass Band will join us.

They’ll be a fantastic addition and their participation a great boost as we establish our brass band summer school together with Dr. Childs and the Buffet Group."

Incredible level

He added: "The Summer School will allow us the opportunity to offer brass musicians from across the world the opportunity to gather here in Nova Scotia annually, participate in the show, and illustrate to thousands of visitors the incredible level of performance that brass bands worldwide have achieved."

They’ll be a fantastic addition and their participation a great boost as we establish our brass band summer school together with Dr. Childs and the Buffet GroupTattoo Artistic Director Doctor Colonel Ian Fraser

Wonderful experience

Dr Childs concluded: "It’s going to be a wonderful experience for the students and we are all looking forward to it immensely.

I’m delighted the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo has put its faith in brass bands, both with the RWCMD and NABBSS, and it’s no surprise to me that this major brass band initiative is happening in Canada.

I’ve visited the country several times and seen first-hand the great work undertaken by the likes of Bramwell Tovey, Bram Gregson and Ray Tizzard, Hannaford Street Silver Band, and their youth initiative, plus well established work by other bands.

Couple all of this with the growth of the wider North American Brass Band Association and it’s no wonder that the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is turning its attention to brass bands and our music.”

Further information

Further information on the 2014 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, including the full cast, can be found at the RNSIT website www.nstattoo.ca