Winners of the Inaugural Philip Jones International Brass Ensemble Competition and the Royal Overseas League Competition, Connaught Brass seek to redefine how brass chamber music is perceived. Blending a deep respect for the genre’s rich heritage with a fresh, youthful perspective, their performances are not only marked by vibrance and boldness, but with warmth and approachability, reflecting the strong camaraderie at the heart of the ensemble. Through brand-new commissions, audience-favourite arrangements and a commitment to originality, Connaught Brass breathe new life into tradition, offering a unique and engaging concert experience with the ultimate goal of bringing brass chamber music to the forefront of today’s musical world.
The Connaughts have shared their music-making widely across the UK and Europe at venues including London’s Wigmore Hall, the Lucerne Festival, De Doelen Rotterdam, Societá Filarmonica Trento, Snape Maltings, Kings Place, St George’s Bristol, Hidden Doors Arts Festival Edinburgh and Music for Wexford Ireland. Additional highlights include performing live on radio from the Concertgebouw’s Spiegelzaal and regularly on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune programme.
The 25/26 season will see the group make debuts in Germany, Norway and Belgium, return to Italy and France, tour Scotland, premiere a newly commissioned work by Dani Howard, continue the run of their audience-favourite Christmas programme following its 2024 premiere at the Barbican, alongside an extensive UK schedule at venues including The Bridgewater Hall, St-Martin-in-the-Fields, St George’s Bristol and Turner Sims Concert Hall.
In previous years, the quintet have been artists of the Tillett Trust, City Music Foundation, Kirckman Concert Society and Britten Pears Chamber Music Residency. They also take great pride in undertaking masterclasses at conservatoires across the UK and Europe, and education work in primary and secondary schools, including that supported by the Cavatina Chamber Music Trust and the Musicians Company.
Having been principal players and members of the European Union Youth Orchestra and Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, members of Connaught Brass perform regularly with many of the UK’s symphony orchestras and opera companies, including the London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, Royal Opera House, BBC Symphony, BBC Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Scottish, Sinfonia of London, Aurora, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, English National Opera, English National Ballet, Opera North, Welsh National Opera, and Ulster Orchestra. In addition to their classical work, they are also in high demand commercially, collaborating with high-profile artists such as Stormzy, Jamie Cullum, Bruno Mars, Florence and the Machine, Alison Sudol, and Cody Fry.
Aaron Akugbo | Bach Stradivarius Bb & C, Bach Artisan Eb & Scherzer Piccolo Trumpets
Harry Plant | Bach Stradivarius 37G Bb, Schagerl C Trumpets & Bach Stradivarius Flugel Horn
Zoë Tweed | Paxman 20M
Chris Brewster | Getzen 4147IB
Aled Meredith-Barrett | B&S 3100W