Staines Brass will be heading on a tour with a difference later this month.
Instead of heading east over the English Channel, they will instead head west across the River Severn to enjoy a weekend trip to Wales under MD Gareth Trott.
It is the latest proactive initiative taken by a band that has rejuvenated itself over the past year or so thanks to the determination of everyone involved in the organisation.
A new musical ethos of innovation and audience engagement has also seen look further afield to new collaborations, with the band being joined on their tour by Central Band of the RAF trumpet player Alan Thomas.
Staines will give a trio of concert performances over the weekend of the 27th & 28th July in and around the area in west Wales where their conductor grew up.
Our Planet
Alan Thomas be performing the iconic Arutiunian 'Trumpet Concerto', and will also feature in their premiere of Gareth's 'Our Planet' programme based on the life work of the celebrated broadcaster and natural historian Sir David Attenborough.
They start at St Mary's, Church in Tenby (Sat 27th July — 3.00pm), followed by a morning concert on the picturesque Tenby Bandstand (Sun 28th July — 11.00am) and an afternoon recital at Penderyn Whisky Distillery in Swansea (Sun 28th July — 4.00pm), which 4BR was informed they are all especially looking forward to.
The band is also linking up with Pontarddulais Band and their conductor Paul Jenkins whom Gareth has known for many years for their St Mary's Church concert
I'm thrilled to be able to bring the band to Wales and to such a beautiful area too. Having Alan with us is a huge boost too and I'm sure he will wow the audiencesMD, Gareth Trott
Thrilled
Speaking about the tour, Gareth Trott told 4BR: "I'm thrilled to be able to bring the band to Wales and to such a beautiful area too. Having Alan with us is a huge boost too and I'm sure he will wow the audiences."
Band Manager and fellow Welsh export Emma Elliot-Smith added: "When Gareth suggested a tour to Wales it was a no-brainer! Tenby is a wonderful place to holiday and visit and my only condition was that we had to play on Tenby Bandstand.
I've dreamt of performing there every time we have been on holiday there, and I've never seen a band perform on it, despite its beautiful location. It'll be an amazing tour!"
