Even by his own extensive travelling exploits, Steven Mead will be racking up the air miles in the next few weeks.

The Besson artist will soon embark on a European tour which sees him fly to Rome to work with a number of outstanding ensembles in the Eternal City and its surrounding areas.

Italy

These will include the remarkable musicians of the Italian Brass Band under the baton of Filippo Cangiamila, who made such a great impression this year in winning the Challenge Section at the European Championship in Freiburg.

After two days working together in Rome, they will perform a concert in the town of Rieti, where Steven will perform Hermann Pallhuber's 'Bliss', as well as a new duet, composed Filippo Cangiamila that will also feature the band's principal euphonium, Luciano di Luca.

Steve will also present a masterclass at the music conservatoire in L'Aquila, where a new euphonium course has been added to the academic roster under the supervision of Matteo Caramaschi, Principal Euphonium of the Italian Police Band in Rome.

Switzerland

Following the delights of Italy, Steve will then fly north to Switzerland where he will be the guest soloist with Brass Band Musikgesellschaft Winznau, conducted by one of his former euphonium graduates at the RNCM, Fabian Bloch.

Steve will also host a masterclass before playing alongside the band in their annual Autumn Concert at the wonderful Stadt Theater Olten.

Belgium

There will be little time for rest though as following the performance he will catch an early morning flight to Belgium to work with the Kortrijk brass band and the Wervik Wind Band in masterclasses and concerts.

Included in the repertoire selected for the Kortijk concert is 'Concerto Grosso' by Etienne Crausaz, for euphonium, marimba and brass band and Stan Neiuwenhius' jazzy 'Mayfly Blues'.

Spain

And just in case he might think his travels will be over he will take one more European flight — this time to Alicante on Spain for a week long series of masterclasses.

Steve told 4BR: "It's a wonderful, but exhausting musical life! I can't think of anything better though than playing with fantastic musicians in different countries — all brought together by their love of the euphonium.

Music is the ultimate international language — which is a good job as I may be getting my Italian mixed up with my Belgian, Swiss and Spanish by the end of the next few weeks!"

Music is the ultimate international language — which is a good job as I may be getting my Italian mixed up with my Belgian, Swiss and Spanish by the end of the next few weeks!Stephen Mead

Tired?

Does he get tired of all the travel though?

"I'm getting to be an expert at recognising my bag on airport carousels — but I am so lucky,"he added.

USA, China, Japan

Lucky he may be, but after the shortest of breaks back home he will be off once more — this time to the USA for an 11 day tour of the north-west coast, followed by a series of concerts back in Bavaria.

Just before Christmas it's back to the USA with Brass Band of Battle Creek Christmas concerts, and then a 16 day trip to Asia, with concerts in Hong Kong, China and Japan.