Brass Band of Central Florida is putting the final touches to its preparations ahead of its second tour to the UK next month.
Jet set
The band is set to perform at the US Open Championships on November 5th, before jetting across the Atlantic to touch down in Britain for a string of concerts culminating with their appearance at the Brass in Concert Championships in Gateshead.
As a pioneering force, the band has been instrumental in flying the flag for the British style brass band in the Unites States, raising awareness of the genre as a result of its highly successful concert and contest appearances throughout the country.
Wowed
On their previous trip to the UK, they wowed audiences with their mix of high class playing and spectacular presentation skills.
This time should be no different, with expert arrangers such as Rick Mizell and Jim Derrick, both of whom hold key musical positions with Walt Disney World in Orlando, providing a steady stream of glittering arrangements that bring more than a touch of glitz and pizzazz to the band’s concerts.
My desire is to give audiences amazing performances of music and styles they might never expect to hear in the brass band worldChad Shoopman
Sell outs
Led by professional trumpet player Chad Shoopman the band recently provided a series of sell out concerts in Orlando.
Speaking of his first visit to the UK with the band, Chad Shoopman told 4BR: "The opportunity to perform in the birth place of brass banding is something I have wanted to do ever since I joined the band. What better way is there to make BBCF an infinitely better ensemble?"
Pizzazz
Chad also promised that Florida would bring with them plenty of their trademark showmanship and pizzazz.
"Our programme brings a uniquely American twist to the concert stage. My desire is to give audiences amazing performances of music and styles they might never expect to hear in the brass band world. I want British audiences to see and hear what we do best and I believe they will find the BBCF to be passionate, refreshing, unique, and a lot of fun!"
