Belgian euphonium star Glenn Van Looy will be making a debut appearance of a very different kind in Wales next month with the news that he will conduct Filton Concert Brass at the forthcoming Welsh Open Entertainment Contest.

Upward

Since becoming First Section National Champion in 2014, the ambitious West of England band has continued on a successful upward trajectory — establishing themselves in the Championship Section with a podium finish at last year's Area contest and hosting an impressive joint concert and composition collaboration with Cory Band generously funded by Arts Council England.

With their principal conductor Tom Davoren unavailable for the contest in Porthcawl on February 20th, Filton have chosen to seek inspiration from one of the banding world's leading performers.

Delighted

Tom told 4BR: "I'm delighted that Glenn has accepted our invitation to be our guest conductor for the contest. We continue to build as a top flight band on and off the contest stage in exciting ways.

Forging this, the first of several forthcoming international links with a musician of Glenn's stature is another significant step in our development."

I'm delighted that Glenn has accepted our invitation to be our guest conductor for the contest. We continue to build as a top flight band on and off the contest stage in exciting waysTom Davoren

Pleasure

Meanwhile, Glenn added: "It's such a pleasure to be invited to visit Filton as a conductor.

They have great musicians around the stands and a good set up, which is a nice way to start this new chapter in my career. We are all very excited about working together."