Wind, Brass & Percussion Festival: A Dance with the Devil

Students and staff from our School of Wind, Brass and Percussion will present a day-long festival next month, with a feast of free events and performances by special guests.

Taking place on Sunday 22 April, the RNCM Wind, Brass and Percussion Festival: A Dance with the Devil, includes everything from a lunchtime concert that gives a nod to rock ‘n’ roll legends Jimi Hendrix and Elvis Presley, to a massed band featuring visiting members of local youth bands and a performance of Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale (L’Histoire du soldat), played alongside a screening of R O Blechman’s 1984 Emmy Award-winning animation of the same name. We also welcome the hugely popular Boston Brass quintet (below) for an afternoon family concert featuring well-known classical and jazz standards and an evening concert with the RNCM Brass Ensemble, both sponsored by Yamaha.

Nick Thompson, Head of School and artistic director, said: ‘We’re presenting a festival that explores the theatricality of music, musical genre and the role of the virtuoso within the ensemble. There’ll be fascinating stuff going on throughout the building – both in our venues and via ‘pop-up’ performances in public spaces when you least expect them…

‘Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale forms the centrepiece of the day examining the drama of music, featuring RNCM ensembles alongside special guests Boston Brass. Expect performances of brilliance, artistry and imagination. And be prepared to dance with the Devil as we take a trip through music and the macabre.’

Alongside RNCM students, Festival performers and conductors include Stefano Canuti (bassoon), James Gourlay (tuba/conductor), Mark Heron (conductor), David Thornton (conductor) and Jasper de Waal (conductor).

The RNCM Wind, Brass and Percussion Festival: A Dance with the Devil takes place on Sunday 22 April between 10.30am and 9pm. Full details can be found here.

20 March 2018