Steven Mead spent Christmas in Taipei, Taiwan as a guest of the Taipei Symphonic Band, and gave a concert on the 25th in one of the most famous concert halls in Taipei to a large and very enthusiastic audience. From there he went directly to Calabria in the south of Italy working with two bands in the region of Lamezia. The second of the concerts was broadcast live on Italian television.
After a few days respite and snow clearing it's time to pack the suitcase again heading first for a week's activities in the Netherlands, including a concert with the famous Dutch marine band, (28th Jan.) a low Brass Day in Oss (23rd Jan) http://www.euphonium.net/download.php?id=35
http://www.euphonium.net/download.php?id=36 and workshops and masterclasses in Wormerveer, Kerkdriel, Zeist http://www.euphonium.net/download.php?id=38 Groningen, and another 2 concerts with a fanfare band.
After that comes Steven's appearance as a guest soloist at the gala concert of the Norwegian Brass Band Championships, where he will be accompanied by Eikganger Bjorsvik . He will play the final movement from Peter Graham's concerto, "In League with Extraordinary Gentlemen" and Howard Snell's arrangement of Sarasate's Gypsy Airs." By a happy coincidence, on the same day Eikanger release their long awaited CD ofProkofiev's ‘Romeo and Juliet', on the Naxos label, and on which Steve was the producer.
The next morning (Sunday 7th) he takes the earliest flight from Bergen arriving in Newcastle in time to rehearse for the afternoon brass band concert inThe Sage, Gateshead in a concert conducted by Ray Farr. Steve's pieces will include ‘Neath Dublin Skies'. ‘Pantomime', ‘Song of the Birds' and ‘Fantaisie Oriiginale', all accompanied by the Hepworth Band.
Unbelievably, from there he returns to Norway the next morning to begin four days of masterclasses, appearing at the Grieg Academy (Bergen), Trondheim, Tromso, and Oslo.
Monday PM : Bergen/Manger
Tuesday : Trondheim
Wednesday : Tromsø
Thursday AM: Oslo
This is a visit much anticipated by Norwegian brass players as it's a few years since Steve has performed in this country.
From there he goes directly to his hometown Bournemouth for a weekend with Vintage Brass, and a concert at the Boscombe Salvation Army Citadel hall on the 13th of February.
Steve's appearance in The Netherlands and Norway are generously supported by Buffet Crampon/Besson. (visit www.besson.com)