The Italian Brass Band, based in Rome, continues to maintain a high-profile musical presence in the Eternal City after recently hosting a highly successful 'School of Brass 3.0' based at the Ennio Morricone School.

Over 20 brass instrument students, aged from 8 to 50, joined the ensemble to enjoy different masterclasses and events led by the Italian representative at the forthcoming European Championships in Linz.

Concert finale

Delegates came from the wider Rome region as well as far as The Netherlands for the weekend of music making. It started on the Friday evening with Giuseppe Saggio, MD of the Italian Brass Band joined by Band President, Claudio Valente in welcoming them before starting rehearsals on the pieces to be played at the event's finale concert.

These included 'Music for a Festival', 'Capricorno' (played by Marco Trotta) and 'By the Sleepy Lagoon' by Philip Sparke, as well as Peter Graham's 'Gaelforce' and Philip Harper's arrangement of 'Las Suertes de los Tontos' and encore 'Sing, Sing, Sing'.

Repairs and masterclasses

Saturday saw a full day of rehearsals and masterclasses, with the players also able to get free repairs to their instruments thanks to the craftsmanship of acclaimed repairer, Johnny Casalanguida.

The renowned tuba virtuoso Salvatore Rajmondo also provided a masterclass lecture on his new book about the instrument entitled, 'Il Linguaggio dela Tuba'.

Sunday saw the final rehearsal preparations for the concert, before the band's Vice-President Giovanni Celestino provided an introductory lecture to delegates on the history and evolution of brass band repertoire.

The weekend concluded with the concert introduced by School Principal, Prof. Paolo Lozzi, who expressed his delighted at the growing success of what was the third edition of the event4BR

Concert finale

The weekend concluded with the concert introduced by School Principal, Prof. Paolo Lozzi, who expressed his delighted at the growing success of what was the third edition of the event, and which attracted a large audience made up of tourists, brass band supporters, students and teachers — many making the journey into the city for the occasion.

The highlight for many however was the stunning performance of 13-year-old cornet player, Leonardo D'Azzena whose performance of 'Virtuosity' gained a 5-minute standing ovation, although those present later stated that they now look forward to a fourth edition of the event next year.