We've heard rumours that Cardiff curry houses and pubs specialising in real ale are experiencing a massive upturn in takings this week, as what feels like the entire brass playing population of Britain and further afield has descended upon the city.
It's almost as bad as the time we performed Berlioz's Grande Messe des Morts. The reason for this invasion of our razzier, noisier, fanfare loving brethren? The Arcomis International Brass Event.
In a time when there are so many depressing, demoralising and dispiriting stories about the arts, Arcomis is a welcome ray of positivity. Established in 2007, it is an arts commissioning organisation, promoting new music and new art works.
Starting with The Flute Event in 2011 (which we were also involved in), they also organise immersive international events that bring together some of the greatest exponents of the Event's chosen instrument(s).
This year, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales will perform at the opening gala concert of The Brass Event, and also the closing concert.
Martyn Brabbins will conduct the Orchestra in the opening gala concert, along with soloists Peter Moore (Trombone), David Pyatt (Horn) and Tine Thing Helseth (Trumpet). Our own brass section will perform a fanfare by Dukas (I KNOW! I thought he was a one hit wonder too, but apparently this is from a ballet!), and there will be music by British composers Mark Anthony Turnage and Oliver Knussen, as well as Alexander Arutunian's Trumpet Concerto.
I'm looking forward to the closing concert where we will be joined by Swedish trumpeter, Håken Hardenberger. Hardenberger is a really exciting musician, and it would take less time to list the big name composers of the late 20th and early 21st century that he has not collaborated with, than those that he has.
When I started my studies at the RNCM, I was embarrassingly hungry to learn from and listen to as many masters and influences as possible, and I attended a number of Hardenberger's masterclasses at the college. He's seriously intense, and was very demanding of the students, but his advice on listening, breathing (important for strings too!), and phrasing was gold. I'm really looking forward to working with him, and hearing him play live again.
Between the opening gala concert on Thursday night at St David's Hall, to the final concert on Sunday evening, The Brass Event is bursting at the seams with all things brass related. I believe events like this, whether centered on the work of a particular composer, on a particular theme, or on a particular instrument or instrumental family are a great way to be inspired.
I think most interesting, perhaps, are the 'Behind the Scenes' events. This series of workshops, masterclasses, seminars, and open rehearsals will allow the participants and audience members to really explore very specific aspects of brass technique and musicianship with the help and guidance of leading experts.
If you would like to know more about the work that Arcomis is involved in, check out their website (www.arcomis.com). There you can find out all about the events happening this week and also, much more about their work.
The Arcomis Brass Event runs from Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 October, with events at St David's Hall, Cardiff University, and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
The BBC National Orchestra of Wales will be performing at St David's Hall on Thursday 10 and Sunday 13 October – for more information visit www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk or call 02920 878444.
