Composer and conductor Ben Ellin, a former pupil at Smithills School is hoping that he can gain support from the banding world to make a personal dream come true.

A multi instrumentalist Ben was a tuba member of the all-conquering Smithills Schools Band for five years in the 1990s and went on to play with the National Youth Brass Band and National Youth Orchestras of Great Britain as well as Eagley, Besses, Foden's and Fairey Bands.

In recent years, his conducting career has seen him lead the likes of the BBC Scottish, BBC Philharmonic, London Philharmonic and Philharmonia orchestras as well as making a name for himself conducting in Europe and Russia.

Trombone concerto

As a composer he has already gain critical acclaim for his works — including a trombone concerto written for the great Joe Alessi of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

The premiere was given in Ekaterinburg, Russia in 2012 and now Ben is looking to record it with Joe Alessi with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra in May 2019.

However, booking a major concert orchestra is an expensive business and Ben has been given less than 60 days to come up with the money to enable the concerto to be recorded.

However, booking a major concert orchestra is an expensive business and Ben has been given less than 60 days to come up with the money to enable the concerto to be recorded4BR

Wonderful talent

One person certainly helping is his former teacher and tutor Chris Wormald, who told 4BR: "Ben is a wonderful talent and pone of the finest success stories to come out of both the Smithills School and the brass band movement.

He's a charming young man with a passion for music making — and this project especially. If you can help them please do — as it's sure to be a remarkable recording project."

More information:

The funding link is at: https://igg.me/at/FUfagkBS9OI/x/17077037

To find out more about Ben go to: www.benjaminellin.com