Happy New Year

Well 2007 was a good year from me with lots of playing and travelling. My 2007 started with a bang with a solo recital at the Bridgewater Hall and the start to 2008 isn't going to be any different!! I will travel out to Holland with euphonium virtuoso Steven Mead on to perform as part of the Dutch Tuba Euphonium Festival It will be a great day of masterclasses and will culminate in a concert on the Saturday evening where Steve and myself will play some solos!!

This will be my first performance in Holland and I'm very much looking forward to it!! On my return from Holland, things don't stop with a lunchtime recital with Tubalate and then a world premiere of a new solo work by Andy Scott.

I commissioned Andy to write a new work for tuba and brass band after recieving an award from the BBC Fame Academy Bursary. I wanted to try and use some of the extended techniques wihich are possible on the tuba to try to create a piece in a very funky style. I recieved a copy of the solo part a few days ago and Andy has certainly done that!! It looks very challenging but will be a great piece to work on.

Over the next few days I hope to include a page or two from the work on the blog for people to have a look at. The work will be given it's world premiere at the RNCM Festival of Brass on 27th January with the Fodens Band.

Happy New Year and have a great 2008!!!

Les