Following Fairey Band's concert at the Royal Northern College of Music Festival of Brass on Saturday morning, conductor Tom Davoren will dash to Manchester airport to fly to Washington D.C. to enjoy a performance of his work, 'Ascension' with the world famous 'President's Own' United States Marines Band.

First American performance

Tom's piece was originally commissioned by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force and Brass Band of Battle Creek, for soloists Steven Mead, Ben Godfrey and Christ Jaudes.

The 'Presidents Own' will be giving the first American performance of the wind orchestra work with their star euphonium and trumpet soloists, Staff Sergeant Hiram Diaz and Gunnery Sergeant Amy McCabe.

Childhood Dreams

The concert entitled 'Childhood Dreams' was devised by Assistant Director, First Lieutenant Ryan J. Nowlin. Also featuring works by John Williams, Percy Grainger and David Maslanka, the programme seeks to evoke childlike qualities of imagination, wonder, fantasy, fear and ambition, with the music telling the story of a flight to Neverland, a jump from space, a childhood dreamscape and the thrill of discovering inspiration.

Advocate

Tom told 4BR: "Though I'm a passionate advocate of brass bands and our own original music, I thoroughly enjoy writing for wind orchestra, and have been very lucky to have a great relationship with the Central Band of the Royal Air Force in the UK.

However, it's a huge privilege to have a work performed by the 'President's Own' — especially an American premiere as a part of such an exciting and innovative programme. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and hearing the band live."

However, it's a huge privilege to have a work performed by the 'President's Own' — especially an American premiere as a part of such an exciting and innovative programmeTom Davoren

Latest project

The high profile event comes soon after Tom's latest developing project, linking an international collection of brass bands and wind orchestras working in the community, education and at a professional level, through the story of pioneering aviatrix Amelia Earhart's first transatlantic crossing.

A further article on this project will be published on 4BR in the near future.

Photo credit: Gunnery Sgt. Amanda Simmons