Featuring works by Jonathan Bates, Bruckner, Bernstei, Tovell, Overhead, Sato, Hall, Grainger, Elgar, Serebrier
British nationals
UK residents
A4 Brass Quartet is comprised of principal players from two of the UK’s top brass bands, Grimethorpe Colliery Band and Foden’s.
With “technical virtuosity in abundance” (Brass Band World), these four astonishing musicians come together to perform both lyrical and high-octane works, creating a distinctive sound, and a new take on chamber music.
…technical virtuosity in abundance
The Quartet has performed widely throughout the UK appearing at major venues and festivals including Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Bridgewater Hall, Cadogan Hall, St. Margaret’s Church Westminster Abbey (for Park Lane Group), Lake District Summer Music, and King’s Lynn Festival. Recent engagements include a residency at the Lieksa Brass Week in Finland, a concert in the Ceresio Estate Festival in Switzerland, a re-invitation to the Trakai Fanfare Week in Lithuania, and a London appearance at the Purcell Room.
They have featured on national television and radio, appearing three times on ITV’s Christmas Carol Concerts and on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune. In 2016, they released their critically-acclaimed debut CD Mists of the Mountains featuring new music composed specifically for them, including works by Martin Ellerby, Edward Gregson, Oliver Waespi, and Nigel Clarke.
Formed in 2013 while studying at the Royal Northern College of Music, in their first year the Quartet won the coveted Philip Jones Brass Ensemble of the Year prize. They went on to represent the brass department in the College’s overall chamber music prize, winning the Christopher Rowland Ensemble of the Year Award and claiming both the jury and the audience’s votes. The Quartet recently completed the prestigious International Artist Diploma in Chamber Music course at the RNCM as John Fewkes scholars.
The Quartet has won numerous prizes and awards including the 2018 Royal Over-Seas League Chamber Music Competition, a 2017 Tunnell Trust Award, the Tillett Trust Young Artists’ Platform series and the Musicians’ Company Concert Series. They regularly work with Live Music Now and Music in Hospitals scheme and are committed to expanding and diversifying their work.
Jamie Smith cornet / flugelhorn
Jonathan Bates tenor horn
Michael Cavanagh baritone horn
Chris Robertson euphonium
