The Brass Compass Euphonium Quartet continues to add yet more award-winning entries to their CV after returning from the prestigious International Tuba & Euphonium Conference at the University of Tennessee in the United States crowned as champions.

Intense competition

The group consisting of Marija Novicane, Seth Livingstone, Adam Bokaris and Vincent Tan went through three rounds of intense competition against rival ensembles from throughout the world, as well as wowing both rivals and judges alike with performances that included a new arrangement of 'Insomniac' by Paul McGhee in the final round to claim the title.

Favourite

Spokesperson Adam Bokaris told 4BR: "This was by far our most risky choice of repertoire for the sake of the contest as it's atonal, highly dissonant and includes a continuous 4/4 metronome beat that plays throughout the work.

However, 'Insomniac' became one of the favourite choices of the adjudicators and the audience."

He added: "We also performed in a masterclass with the American tuba star and composer Michael Forbes as well as the euphonium virtuoso Demondre Thurman, whilst at the conference we premiered a work by RNCM composer Jonathan Bates called 'Polar Landscapes'.

It's Jonathan's first work for euphonium quartet, and it went down incredibly well."

Amazing support

Adam told 4BR that the support they have received to get them to Tennessee had been incredibly humbling.

"Our biggest thanks go to the RNCM for their funding and support as well as to our teachers, Steven Mead and David Thornton. The amazing donations from family, friends, and even strangers who just appreciated what we were trying to do were also an incredible help, and the group is wholeheartedly grateful."

We also performed in a masterclass with the American tuba star and composer Michael Forbes as well as the euphonium virtuoso Demondre ThurmanAdam Bokaris

Chamber Music Award

Just two days after coming back from the United States, the group added yet another title to their name. Competing in the final of the RNCM's Philip Jones Brass Ensemble Chamber Music Competition, panellists Ursula Jones and Les Neish also awarded them first place.

They will now compete in the Christopher Rowland RNCM Chamber Ensemble of the Year Award on the 27th June at the Carole Nash Recital Hall in the RNCM in the hope of making it a hat-trick of prestigious titles.