"The NYBB accompanied guest-star euphoniumists Steven Mead in his slick and scintillating performance of Graham's "Brillante" and in introducing Steadman-Allen's newish "Lyric Variations" to the band world at large.The musical material of this piece however was somewhat disappointing , and thus we looked for something special in the encore - and we certainly got it. Playing unaccompanied, Mead the Magician gave us a wonderful piece of improvised music theatre which was not only extraordinarily clever but also genuinely witty. Playing unaccompanied, Mead the Magician gave us a wonderful piece of improvised music-theatre which was not only extraordinarily clever but also genuinely witty. Playing for 98% of the time without using the first three valves he gave us brilliant excerpts from Facilita, then a high melody soaring over a boogies bass (duetting with himself), a series of lip-slurred arpeggios synchronised impeccably with a comic trombone-mime routine and so on. This was Shakespearian "fooling" at its best, and long to be remembered."

Vernon Briggs - Brass Band World May 2000