Johan De Meij will head a world class judging panel at the inaugural National Concert Band Symposium contest in July.
De Meij, one of the worlds foremost concert band composers and conductors, will join acclaimed horn player and conductor Anthony Halstead and percussion virtuoso Simone Rebello on a panel where each adjudicator will bring their own unique experience and expertise to the event.
"I am proud and honored to be part of this first edition of the National Concert Band Symposium. A terrific initiative to put the wind orchestra on the map through performances of first class ensembles, by presenting new original literature and new commissions and by creating a professional network in the UK and abroad"
Composer/conductor Johan De Meij
De Meij has worked most recently with the Simon Bolivar Youth Wind Orchestra (part of famous Venezuelan music system El Sistema) in his position as regular guest conductor. His Symphony No. 1, The Lord of the Rings is one of the most performed concert band works of all time and celebrated it's 25th Anniversary this year. His most recent work Symphony No. 4, Sinfonie der Lieder (for solo voice, children's chorus and wind orchestra) also received it's world premiere performance in January - the piece will receive it's UK Premiere in November performed by Maidstone Wind Symphony under the baton of Jonathan Crowhurst.
Horn player Tony Halstead is one of the finest horn players of his generation. He studied at the prestigious Chetham's School and subsequently went on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music.
As a horn player he has held Principal positions with the London Symphony Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra, The Academy of Ancient Music, the English Concert, The Hanover Band and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
Tony made his first solo CD in 1986, recording Weber's Concertino on the natural horn, with The Hanover Band, for the Nimbus Record Company. This much-acclaimed CD has recently been re-released, and can be purchased from this website.
Tony now enjoys a varied career as a conductor and director/harpsichordist, as well as being a renowned horn soloist and teacher of international repute. In addition to making regular visits as a guest professor and examiner at many of the UK's conservatoires, he enjoys private teaching and chamber-music coaching.
Simone Rebello is one of the most sought after percussionist and adjudicator in the UK. She is renowned for her work with percussion quartet BackBeat the group tours extensively in Japan and America and have also given concerts in Zimbabwe, the Cayman Islands and throughout Europe. In addition to recording 2 CDs and numerous international TV and radio broadcasts the group has won several competitions including the Royal Over - Seas League Ensemble Prize (1997), The Osaka International Chamber Music Festa (1999) and The USA Concert Artists Guild (2001) which led to a USA debut at The Weill Hall - Carnegie Hall.
Simone devises and presents concerts and workshops to children of all ages and works annually with Young World UK who produce concerts featuring large choirs (up to 8000 children) in UK arenas including the Manchester Evening News Arena, working with musicians including Beverley Knight, Lee Ryan and Heather Small.
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