*
banner

Brass world comes together for Owens

The orchestral and brass band worlds are joining forces to help raise funding for former Liverpool Philharmonic principal trumpet Rhys Owens.

rHYS oWENS
  Rhys Owens was a former principal cornet of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain

The musical world is being asked to support the ongoing care needs of Rhys Owens, who recently retired as principal trumpet of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra following a diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease.

Brass bands

The Welshman began his musical career in the brass band world and played with both Lewis Merthyr and BTM Bands as well as becoming the principal cornet of the National Youth Brass Band and National Youth Orchestras of Wales aged 17.

Taught at Chetham's School of Music before becoming a graduate of the Royal College of Music, he was a brass finalist in the prestigious BBC Young Musician of the Year and the LSO Shell competitions.

He joined the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in 1991 and became Section Principal in 1998.

He has also performed with numerous leading professional orchestras and has been a highly regarded teacher at the at the RNCM in Manchester since 1999 as well as with the National Youth Orchestra of Wales.

Ride for Rhys

A 'Ride for Rhys' initiative recently saw friends and colleagues cycle from Manchester to Liverpool to raise funds for the Wirral Group of the Motor Neurone Disease Association which has been a source of constant support to Rhys since his diagnosis.

Now colleagues at Welsh National Opera have joined with friends at the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Welsh brass band community for a further fundraising venture — one of which will be a special concert at the Hoddinot Hall in Cardiff on Sunday January 9th (3.00pm)

A special concert will be held at the Hoddinot Hall in Cardiff on Sunday January 9th (3.00pm)4BR

Concert

Leading the organising is WNO trumpeter Martin McHale who told 4BR: "We're delighted that both BTM and Lewis Merythr Bands will each do a spot in the concert, as well as a team of friends from the various orchestras.

The tickets will go on sale as soon as possible and we urge everyone who loves the sound of brass to come along and support Rhys. He's a wonderful man and musician who has given so much pleasure to people during his career."

Donate

People can also donate to his ongoing care needs at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ride4rhys

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Presto CDs

New partnership link for 4BR and Presto Music

June 2 • If you are looking to add to your classical music collections or those linked to the brass world, then you can do it by a click or two...


Denis Wick

Denis Wick Memorial Concert

June 2 • The life of the iconic musician, teacher, mouthpiece designer and businessman Denis Wick will be celebrated at a special concert this week in London.


Brass Cruise

A Brass Band Cruise with a difference

June 2 • You can enjoy a relaxing trip to three port cities accompanied by the sound of brass next year — or you can join in yourself.


Italian Brass Band

STEAM power boosts Italian outreach

June 2 • The Italian Brass Band continues to strengthen its Roman profile with its latest school link.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


Croy Silver Band - Summer Concert

Thursday 26 June • Holy Cross Parochial Hall, Constarry Rd, Croy, Glasgow G65 9JG


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Simon Langton Brass - Deal Memorial Bandstand

Sunday 29 June • The Strand, Walmer, Deal CT14 7DY CT14 7DY


RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band

June 1 • A highly motivated and talented musician with strong organisational skills is required to lead the RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band as the Voluntary Band Instructor. This is a full time paid position (37 hrs pw)


Croy Silver Band

June 1 • Croy Silver Band currently has contest vacancies on Cornet and Percussion, but we always welcome enquiries for any section of the band. We rehearse in Croy on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7:30pm.


Epping Forest Band

May 31 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn.. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year.. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Gordon Eddison

B Ed (Hons). Member AoBBA.
Conductor and Adjudicator.


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd