After winning the coveted Philip Jones Brass Ensemble award at the Royal Northern College of Music in May, the A4 Brass Quartet, which comprises first year undergraduate students all playing in leading brass bands, has now claimed the prestigious overall ensemble title.

First

The group claimed the renowned Chris Rowland Ensemble Award against seven other winning ensembles from the RNCM String, Piano and Percussion schools, and in doing so became the first group of first year students, and indeed the first brass ensemble, to win the RNCM's top award for chamber music.

Formed in October 2013, A4 consists of Jamie Smith (Principal Cornet, Hammonds Saltaire), Jonathan Bates (Solo Horn, Black Dyke), Michael Cavanagh (Solo Baritone, Grimethorpe Colliery) and Christopher Robertson (Solo Euphonium, Wingates).

In addition to the overall award, the group also scooped the audience vote prize to make it a clean sweep on the night.

the group performed a new major work specially composed by Jonathan Bates, entitled 'Mists of the Mountains', which made use of several extended techniques along with backing tracks and stage directions4BR

New work

Having qualified through two previous heats, including the Philip Jones Brass final, the group performed a new major work specially composed by Jonathan Bates, entitled 'Mists of the Mountains', which made use of several extended techniques along with backing tracks and stage directions.

As a result the ensemble will now look forward to a solo concert in the newly refurbished concert hall in November.