The final brass band concert to be held at the Adrian Boult Hall in Birmingham was rounded off in memorable fashion this week with the world premiere of a new arrangement of William Lloyd Webber's 'Festal March' performed by the massed ranks of Birmingham Conservatoire Brass, Symphonic Brass and Welsh champions Tredegar.

Julian Lloyd Webber

Directed by Head of Brass, Chris Houlding, it provided the climax to an engaging concert in the presence of the composer's son and Birmingham Conservatoire Principal, Julian Lloyd Webber (above with Chris Houlding and Ian Porthouse).

Arranged for the occasion by Tredegar's tuba player Ceri John, the renowned cellist Principal told 4BR that it also brought a great deal of personal joy as well as the hope that it will herald further brass band explorations of his father's compositions.

"My congratulations go to Ian Porthouse, Ceri John and Tredegar for making this happen — and to the players who performed it so splendidly,"he said after the concert.

"It was wonderful to hear my father's music played by such a thrilling combination of traditional brass band and orchestral brass. I hope we can hear more in the future."

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That will be something that Tredegar will look to make happen according to MD Ian Porthouse: "It was a great honour to be able to perform the 'Festal March' with the ensembles from the Conservatoire — and it is music that really suits a brass band.

Ceri did a great job with his arrangement and we will now look to explore further works."

It was a wonderful way to mark the occasion, and with the students also performing so well it was an event that heralded both the end of an old era and the start of a new and exciting one at Birmingham ConservatoireChris Houlding

Superb arrangement

Meanwhile, Head of Brass Chris Houlding also told 4BR that he was delighted that the last brass band concert to be held at the hall was marked by such an outstanding climax. "My thanks go to Tredegar for once again showing their talents to the full under Ian Porthouse — and for providing us with a superb new arrangement.

It was a wonderful way to mark the occasion, and with the students also performing so well it was an event that heralded both the end of an old era and the start of a new and exciting one at Birmingham Conservatoire which I'm sure will include many more musical highlights such as this."