Japan, here we come, 3 TIMES!!

Coming soon are three important visits, all of which have great historical importance, and will see the euphonium while in the spotlight at some leading events in Japan. Steven is a regular and popular visitor to Japan and these three visits, all generously supported by Besson and Buffet Crampon Japan will see the profile of the euphonium heightened still further.

Peter Graham Euphonium Concerto Premiere in Osaka

The first visit to Japan is at the beginning of June, with Steve travelling to Osaka with the main focus been the world premiere of the new Euphonium Concerto by Peter Graham. This much-awaited work, the first euphonium concerto from this very popular composer, will be performed with the Osaka Municipal Band, in Osaka, on Friday, 6 June

Here is Steve's schedule:

Peter Graham's new concerto is titled "In League with Extraordinary Gentlemen" and is in three movements in traditional concerto style. It is sure to become one of the most popular and enjoyable euphonium concertos ever written. As you can see from the schedule three additional events are planned in the days that follow.

National Youth Brass Band of Scotland Japan Tour - July 2008

The second visit to Japan sees Steve as a guest soloist with the National Youth Brass band of Scotland (NYBBS) in a historic tour with the charismatic Richard Evans as conductor.

There has been a lot of exhaustive planning gone into this trip, and it should be a memorable tour for the 70+ members of the band, who have worked so hard to make this tour possible.

The concert schedule is as follows:

  • 5th Sat Concert in Scotland
  • 6th Sun Flight to Japan
  • 7th Mon Arrive in Japan / Free
  • 8th Tues Seitoku Gakuen University, Chiba
  • 9th Wed Senzoku College of Music in Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall, Yokohama
  • 11th Fri Mielparque Hall, Osaka
  • 12th Sat Parc Joyo Plum Hall, Kyoto
  • 13th Sun Hibiki Hall, Fukuoka
  • 15th Tues Act City Hamamatsu, Hamamatsu
  • 18th Fri Shinjuku Bunka Centre, Tokyo

In this picture, Steve and Richard teamed up at the recent Brass band of Battle Creek concerts in Michigan and Florida.

Four great artists team up in concerts in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya

The final Japanese visit of 2008, sees Steve partnering with the famous Japanese euphonium virtuoso Shoichiro Hokazono, and world renowned tubists Roland Szentpali and Rex Martin. This dream quartet will perform three together from September 15-21 , in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. Each soloist will perform 15 to 20 minutes solo with the piano accompanist, Mr. Takehiko Yamada who graduated from the Paris Conservatoire, and is one of the leading pianists in Japan.

The second half of each concert will be chamber music , with quartets and duos featured . This line up of artists is sure to excite the lowbrass fraternity in Japan. (below: L/R: Rex Martin. Schoichiro Hokazono. Roland Szentpali)