Crown Brass is fast gaining a reputation as one of the most engaging and diverse young chamber ensembles around, with a particular passion and ability for the commission, interpretation and performance of Contemporary Music. With a strong desire to take the brass quintet out of its comfort zone, Crown Brass aims to stretch boundaries, in a bid to make the brass quintet a truly respected chamber ensemble. 

Since its formation in late 2012, at Manchester’s prestigious Royal Northern College of Music, the ensemble has built up an impressive cliental, which includes Rocco Forte Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Wedding Planners, Charities, Schools, Councils, Music Societies, the Aristocracy and the British Royal Family. With an eclectic repertoire which spans from Renaissance Polyphony to Lady Gaga and One Direction, the ensemble has been described as ‘having a unique ability to create positive energy in any space’.

As individual performers, interests include jazz, conducting and composition. Tuba player Toby Butt has composed for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Rachel Allen has sat as Guest Principal Trombone with many of the North West’s most distinguished brass bands, and has recently played Principal Trombone with the RNCM Concert Orchestra. Trumpeter Aaron Wood is a highly active on the Manchester Jazz scene and Matthew Head has recently returned from Palestine, where he was invited to be Guest Principal Horn of the Palestine Youth Orchestra for their summer concerts under the baton of Sian Edwards. Ben Conway has conducted a number of the local amateur orchestras, as well as giving solo performances of the Haydn and Harry James Trumpet Concertos during his time at the RNCM Junior School. Further to this, Ben has raised thousands of pounds for various UK Charities, most recently for the Macmillan Nurses.

In a busy year which includes giving recitals and workshops up and down the country, Crown Brass has continued to promote new music, commissioning composers Sarah Gait, Thomas Brown and Dave Collins to write for the group, with many more discussions still taking place. Other forthcoming projects include a performance and recording of John McCabe's brass music, a concert with the acclaimed Monteverdi Singers, education workshops in schools around Manchester and a performance of Adam Schoenberg's Reflecting Light.

Crown Brass is grateful to the RNCM for its ongoing support, in particular to the individual guidance of the Head of Wind Brass and Percussion, Professor John Miller and tutor John Dickinson. 


Gerard Booth is following