NEWS

Congratulations to Luc Vertommen and Brass Band Buizingen on their superb result of 5^th position at the European Brass Band Championship held in the Brucknerhaus in Linz, Austria. This result left them only one point behind the world famous Black Dyke Band with Cory Band from Wales taking the European title for the third year in a row. On day one of the competition they performed Thomas Doss’s brilliant work `Spiriti’ and on day two gave a stunning and inspirational performance of Nigel’s `Earthrise’ a work specially written for Brass Band Buizingen and their conductor Luc Vertommen. The Band’s principal cornet player Harmen Vanhoorne came 3rd in the 5th European Solo Competition.Read More

As Associate Composer to the Band of H.M. Grenadier Guards, Nigel is to compose a new work that is designed to be performed at solemn occasions and will be ready for performance this Autumn (2010). Many of Nigel’s works have been performed by the band, but as Associate Composer he wrote `Fields of Remembrance’ in 2008 in support the Colonel’s Fund, Grenadier Guards. The Colonel’s Fund was created at the end of 2007 to help the families of those killed and wounded in action by promptly responding to problems of bereavement and hardship and to supplement existing charitable funds.Read More

Nigel is currently transcribing his (2003) portrait overture `Tilbury Point’ for brass band and will be published by Studio Music Company later this year. The original idea came about after visiting many of East London’s ancient riverside pubs along the River Thames with the dedicatee Matthew George. Read More

Brass Band Buizingen to give the Dutch premiere of `Earthrise’ at a concert called `Top Brass’ held in Schoonhoven on 23 April. The concert will also feature Brass Band Schoonhoven. For more information see Top Brass Concert.

Nigel’s latest work for brass band `Earthrise’ will feature as an open choice test piece in this years European Brass Band Championships in Austria. The performance will take place on 1st May in the Brucknerhaus Concert Hall, Linz, Austria.

Study for `Loulan' by Peter Sheppard Skaerved

Peter Sheppard Skaerved is to perform Nigel’s short unaccompanied violin work `Loulan’ at the British Museum on 23 September in one of four recitals. New sounds have always flooded across musical borders by means of trade  and travel. The first bowed string instruments were brought to  Europe from Asia in the century  before the Renaissance. By the late 17th century, the violin had  anchored itself into the musical practices of both secular and religious  celebrations and observation, from feasting to prayer.  But it must not be forgotten that the  excitement about music is also centred on a particular fascination with the  tools that are used to make music, both as historical objects, objects of  inspiration, and objects of change. The violin is the ultimate example of  this-an extraordinary piece of technology, capable of extraordinary flexibility,  and almost limitless potential for ‘up grades’and alteration. Its function and  meaning have been in more or less constant flux for nearly 500 years. P.S.S.

Read More

Eynsford Concert Band will be performing as part of their 2010 Spring Concert, Nigel’s `Heritage Suite’ (What Hope Saw). The concert will take place in the Mick Jagger Centre, Dartford on 18th April. `Heritage Suite’ was a commission from Eynsford Concert Band and is a musical portrait of  West Malling in Kent. Nigel will be at the concert in support of this performance.

For information see:

Eynsford Concert Band

Brass Band Buizingen

Brass Band Buizingen under the baton of Luc Vertommen to perform Nigel’s latest brass band work `Earthrise’ at the Flemish Brass Band Championships (Vlaams open brassband kampioenschap).

Read More

Violinist Hugo Ticciati will give the Swedish premiere of Nigel’s epic violin and wind orchestra work `Black Fire’ with the Göteborg Symphonic Band under the baton of David Lundblad. The concert will take place on 13 March in the Artisten, Gothenburg. A second performance will be given  at the Jakobskyrkan on 14th May in Stockholm.

Read More