Brass

Realise your potential

We firmly believe that attaining your potential as a musician is best achieved in a warm and collaborative environment.

Every student arrives with different strengths and develops at a different speed: our busy programme of first study activity is undertaken in an atmosphere of mutual support and encouragement, where there is always an acknowledgment that mistakes are part of the learning process.

Group of brass student holding up their instruments

We offer a wide range of experiences for our students, as soloists, in orchestras and as chamber musicians. We also devote considerable attention to pedagogy – an essential and extremely rewarding asset for future employment. We take the greatest care to nurture and develop the full range of every student's skills to create individuals with a wealth of knowledge, who are fully prepared for the demands of a profession in which a portfolio of skills is a prerequisite.

Learn from top performers

Sarah Willis holding French Horn

Our instrumental teaching staff are not only performers of the highest calibre, but are also dedicated and inspirational tutors. We also have the amazing Sarah Willis as our International Chair in Brass, and four wonderful Visiting Artists.

We also regularly have guest masterclasses and coaching sessions from some of the world’s finest soloists and ensembles. Recent guests have included: 

Onyx Brass
Stockholm Chamber Brass
Bones Apart 
Septura
A4 Brass quartet 
Katrina Marzella 
Philip Cobb 
Peter Moore 
Connaught Brass 
Tom Hutchinson 
Dewi Griffiths 
Tine Thing Helseth 
Kristian Steenstrup 
Roger Webster 
Katy Woolley 
Froydis Ree Wekre 
Ursula Paludan Monberg 
Gary Curtin 
Nimrod Ron 

Alan Thomas trumpet

Performance classes

Weekly performance classes give students the platform to practise their performance skills in front of fellow department students. Classes are led by brass staff members and visiting international tutors. We are very fortunate to have a phenomenal faculty collaborative pianist, Joanne Sealeywho plays for all classes and performance assessments.

Chamber music

Chamber music at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is flourishing. Every student will play in at least one chamber music group. There are endless opportunities to perform in competitions and concerts within the Conservatoire. Through our External Engagements department, many paid opportunities also arise.

Amrit Sohal playing her instrument

Instruments for loan

The Conservatoire has several instruments available for loan, including Sackbuts, natural trumpets, BBb, C and F tubas, Wagner Tubas, Bass trumpet etc

How to apply