Groundbreaking European consortium commission announced
Edward Gregson will celebrate his 75th birthday in July 2020, and in a unique collaboration between five European partner countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and the UK) the composer has been commissioned to write a new work for their National brass band competitions in 2020/2021 – a fitting tribute to the impressive contribution he has made to the brass band repertoire over the last 50 years. The première performance will take place at the British Open in Birmingham in September 2020, followed by National premières in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland in the same year, and in Norway in February 2021. Gregson commented:
I am delighted to have received this commission for such an impressive array of brass band competitions in Europe. I hope to write a work that lives up to the quality of the many bands and conductors involved, whilst not forgetting that the audiences will expect a work that they can listen to and enjoy many times over. Quite a task!
Further details about this commission will be released during the course of the year. You can download the full article featured in British Bandsman here.