The 50th anniversary of the University of Salford's Musical Arts Programme was celebrated with a showcase of established and new ensembles.

Heading the bill at Peel Hall was the University of Salford Brass Band, conducted by Tom Davoren, who entertained an appreciative audience with new works by the winners of the prestigious Kirklees Composing & Arranging Competition — the keenly fought annual event for students.

Stars

Their grand finale featured Belgian euphonium star Glenn Van Looy, a current doctoral student of the university, who follows Owen Farr as International Brass Tutor for 2018. He was joined by James Fountain, the Principal Trumpet of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Both appeared thanks to the generous support from Geneva Instruments Ltd.

In addition, the University Symphonic Wind Band led by postgraduate student Ryan Broad and Dr Brett Baker, premiered a new commission by Joe Stephenson alongside Kan Van Der Roost's impressive 'Olympica'.

Exciting year

A number of new student arrangements were also featured, whilst the popular University Choir, led by Sue Hickey delighted the audience with songs by the Bee Gees, Snow Patrol and Burt Bacharach.

A spokesperson told 4BR: "2018 promises to be an exciting year for bass and wind at the University of Salford, with international guest artists, residencies with prominent composers and performances throughout Great Britain already in the pipeline."

2018 promises to be an exciting year for bass and wind at the University of Salford, with international guest artists, residencies with prominent composers and performances throughout Great Britain already in the pipelinespokesperson

More information

For more information on the University of Salford's undergraduate and postgraduate programme including performance, composition and band conducting study with tutors such as Les Neish, Les Story, Brett Baker, Gary Curtain, Helen Varley, Richard Marshall, Brian Taylor, Tom Davoren and Dan Price, e-mail b.baker@salford.ac.uk or visit the Music Directorate Facebook page https://goo.gl/FzlPjB