Yamaha International Performance artist Arfon Owen is set to help the emerging talents of the Italian brass band movement next month, when he visits Rome to work alongside the Italian Brass Band.

Masterclasses

Between the 18th and 21st February, the tenor horn star will make the trip from his home in Stavanger, where he plays for the Norwegian champion, to fly to the Eternal City to lead the first ever tenor horn masterclasses alongside the 2015 European Challenge Section champion.

Founded in November 2013, the Italian Brass Band is the brainchild of four professional musicians who, fascinated by English style brass bands created their own in the heart of the Italian capital.

European champion

From just four friends getting together in a local bar, the band flourished — winning the European title last year in Freiburg. Arfon is now helping the band and players develop further as part of an innovative Yamaha initiative to help stimulate interest and participation in the Italian brass band movement.

The multi-instrumentalist will brings with him a wealth of experience as a performer playing at the highest level and also as an educator.

Excited and happy

Commenting on Arfon's visit to Italy, conductor Filippo Cangiamila told 4BR: "We are excited and very happy to host the first tenor horn masterclass here in Italy with one of the most famous tenor horn soloists in the world.

We want to increase the interest in the brass band culture in our country and in particular to lift this wonderful brass instrument out of relative anonymity in Italy."

We want to increase the interest in the brass band culture in our country and in particular to lift this wonderful brass instrument out of relative anonymity in Italyconductor, Filippo Cangiamila

Privilege

Arfon added: "The tenor horn is a relative new-comer to Italian musical culture, so to be given the opportunity to showcase the instrument to new audiences is a real privilege.

Being the first tenor horn artist to lead masterclasses and perform as a soloist in Italy, the Neo is the perfect instrument for this historic occasion, and to do this alongside the impressive Italian Brass Band is an honour."