August 2001: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Surrey Brass formed to bring quality musical performance to local area
A new group of brass and percussion musicians forms in Surrey, following the best traditions of British Brass playing to perform music to the highest standards.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Surrey Brass is a new group formed from the finest brass players in the county of Surrey, who have got together to perform music to the highest standards. A series of concerts are planned around the county that will bring a wide range of exciting and entertaining music to audiences.
Surrey Brass aims to follow the fine tradition of ensemble brass performance originated in the UK by the world-famous Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, which itself was founded exactly 50 years ago. To widen the range of music and entertain all kinds of audience, Surrey Brass also incorporate fresh influences from diverse cross-cultural musical sources including traditional music, Jazz, and World Music. The group also aims to support local composers and artists of all kinds by collaborating with them to provide the means to have their work shown in public.
The first conductor of Surrey Brass is Robin Smith, a graduate of the Royal College of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, having been taught by eminent trumpeters including Michael Laird, John Miller, Paul Cosh, Ray Simmons and Steven Keovey. Today Robin is a professional trumpet player in the London area and has played with all the big London orchestras, in West End shows and smaller ensembles too. Robin works regularly with the Royal Opera House, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra and freelances regularly. Robin is in great demand as a teacher and specialises in coaching Brass Ensembles. Many of his students have continued their careers in the LSSO, National Children's Orchestra and other groups.
Robin says "Surrey Brass represents something I have wanted to do for a long time, and so I am delighted to have been appointed Conductor. There are many terrific brass players in Surrey and this is the very first time that they have had the opportunity to get together to play to the highest possible standard. I'm looking forward to leading them in a programme of great music, and I'm also confident we will have a load of fun too."
Surrey Brass' talented musicians are drawn from the best players in the county of Surrey, whether student, amateur, professional or in between. A high playing standard is the key to the success of the group, so every musician needs to have attained a minimum standard of Grade 8 plus at least 5 years experience of playing before they will be considered for audition - and most players are far more experienced than this. Over the whole county, there are many players who have attained this standard but have never had the opportunity to play together until now. Within a month of starting over a dozen players have signed up, proving that there is a long-felt need for a county ensemble of this kind in the playing community.
The founder of Surrey Brass, Weybridge resident John Goodwin, who himself trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the National Youth Orchestra, also an ex-professional who has played with the Royal Ballet Orchestra, Ballet Rambert, Welsh National Opera, London Sinfonietta, and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra among many other organisations says "There are many excellent brass and percussion musicians in Surrey who are the "star players" in their local orchestras and bands. However, until now there has been no county-wide group where these people can get together and play challenging music to a very high standard. I wanted to create such a group to bring a wide variety of well-performed and interesting brass music to new audiences all over Surrey. My aim is to show Surrey just what can be done by a group of dedicated musicians aiming for their very best, entertaining and inspiring people in the process".
Surrey Brass also seeks financial assistance and would be delighted to discuss support and partnerships with Surrey businesses, Arts and Music organisations, and individuals, so that they can take their music all over Surrey, and in time to other countries as well. If you are interested in collaboration for a concert or event please contact Surrey Brass.
If you would like information about Surrey Brass you can find out more at their website www.surreybrass.co.uk
Do you want to play with this group? Surrey Brass actively seeks new players, so if you play orchestral brass or percussion to a high standard and you are interested in joining, please contact us or email at
