French composer Thierry Deleruyelle has spoken exclusively to 4BR to express his delight at what he calls the 'honour' of having his work, 'Fraternity' used as the test-piece for the 2017 British Open Championship.

Great honour

"It is a great honour to be chosen, first of all as a composer, and then as the first French composer in the 165 year history of the British Open Championship,"he said.

"It's interesting to see that compositions live their lives without you, and 'Fraternity' has already enjoyed success following its use as the set-work for the European Championship in Lille earlier this year."

It is a great honour to be chosen, first of all as a composer, and then as the first French composer in the 165 year history of the British Open ChampionshipThierry Deleruyelle

Thanks

Thierry added: "There are so many great composers in the British Open 'Hall of Fame' and I must thank Karyn and Martin Mortimer for allowing me this wonderful opportunity. I thank them both very much.

I also owe a great deal of thanks to my publisher De Haske — Hal Leonard for the quality of their work on 'Fraternity'. It has been a pleasure to work with such a company.

I will be in Birmingham in September next year to enjoy the magnificent bands playing my work — what a spectacle it will be."