A4 Brass wins ROSL ARTS Ensemble Award

Congratulations to A4 Brass, winners of the ROSL ARTS Mixed Ensemble Award.

Their achievement follows Kabantu’s success in the same category last year, and marks the fifth time an RNCM Ensemble has been awarded the prize since the Aurora Percussion Duo in 2012.

Now in its 66th year, the ROSL ARTS, the arts division of the Royal Over-Seas League, has developed a diverse portfolio of arts activities in music, visual arts and literature. It is devoted to the career development of talented young professional artists and musicians from the UK and the Commonwealth, and also presents readings and literary events at its central London Headquarters. The ROSL Annual Music Competition is the centrepiece of ROSL ARTS’ year-round programme of events. It offers more than £75,000 in awards with a £15,000 first prize for solo performers and two chamber ensemble awards of £10,000.

To date, numerous RNCM students and alumni have achieved success in the competition. Previous winners of the Ensemble category include the previously mentioned Kabantu (2017) and Aurora Percussion Duo (2012), alongside the Tempest Flute Trio (2013) and Solem Quartet (2014). Looking back further, Rob Buckland (our Deputy Head of Chamber Music) picked up the prize with the Apollo Saxophone Quartet (1989), and Simone Rebello (our Deputy Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion and Director of Percussion) secured victory with the BackBeat percussion quartet (1998).

A4 Brass Quartet, comprising Jamie Smith, Jonathan Bates, Michael Cavanagh and Chris Robertson, are studying for an RNCM International Artist Diploma. You can see their next IAD recital on Tuesday 19 June at 7.30pm.

21 March 2018